Madhya Modi Hydropower Project (MMHP) has started its test production from Monday.

The hydropower project started construction of related infrastructure in December of 2014/15. A total cost of Rs 4 billion has been incurred for the project construction.

According to the project, the Nepal Electricity Authority has been supervising the test transmission of electricity produced by the project, while the authority has started work to connect electricity generated by the project to the national grid.

The MMHP had targeted to complete its construction within three years from commencement. However, the project sustained impacts of earthquake, Indian blockade and COVID-19, while its construction was delayed by additional five years for completion, according to the Project Chief Pratap Kharel.

The project owned by Chaudhary Group was earlier estimated to cost Rs 2.50 billion. “Due to the delay, the cost increased by around 60 percent,” said Kharel.

The MMHP is located in Kenga of Modi Rural Municipality-2 of Parbat district. It has erected a dam in Birethati of Annapurna Rural Municipality-3 of Kaski district, while a 2,393 meter long tunnel has been built to supply water to the project’s power house.