A 132-MW hydropower project is going to be constructed in a part of Arun Valley in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality of Sankhuwasabha.

According to the Department Of Electricity Development, Empic Energy Pvt Ltd has sought approval to start the construction of the Lower Barun Hydroelectric Project after the feasibility study. Within the central area of Makalu Barun National Park, a 'Run of the River' (flow-based) project has been proposed using water from the Barun River.

The estimated cost of the project, which is expected to be completed in 5 years, is Rs 20.12 billion. According to the Department, there is a feasibility study to generate 494.482 gigawatt hours of electricity annually from the project. It is proposed to release 50 percent of the flow of the river every month from the dam site.

For the project with a design discharge of 18.44 cubic meters per second, a dam of 20 meters width and five meters height is proposed to divert river water. The power house of the project will have six vertical turbines. After power generation, the water will be pumped back into the Barun River through a tailrace tunnel with a length of 505.75 meters and a diameter of 4.6 meters.

The generated electricity will be connected to the switchyard of the Upper Arun Hydroelectric Project through a 220 kV transmission line of 1.73 km length.

A part of the project Arun Valley is located in the central area of Makalu Barun National Park. The department has issued a notification on Saturday to send a response within 35 days if the construction of this project will have an adverse effect.