The 102-megawatt Middle Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project, constructed in Sindhupalchok, is now ready for commercial power generation and will soon be connected to Nepal’s national transmission grid.

The project has been developed under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower Company, a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), using domestic investment and expertise. Although construction was completed several months ago, power generation had been on hold due to delays in completing the transmission line.

The electricity generated will be transmitted through the New Khimti 400 kV substation and connected to the national grid via the Dhalkebar transmission line.

NEA Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya visited the project site on Friday to inspect the final preparations. During the inspection, he instructed officials to ensure the power plant is protected from potential flooding and to remain on standby. He also called for a leakage test of the 7.2 km tunnel and stressed building sliding barricades to protect the powerhouse and other infrastructure from possible floods.

The project faced multiple setbacks including the Jure landslide in July 2014, the devastating April 2015 earthquake, a 5.5-month border blockade at the Nepal-India border starting October 2015, floods in the Bhotekoshi River in June 2016 and again in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Construction delays were largely attributed to natural disasters and underperformance by the civil and hydromechanical contractor, Guangxi Hydroelectric Construction Company of China. The electromechanical works were handled by Andritz Hydro.

Initially, the estimated cost of the project during the loan agreement with the Employees Provident Fund was Rs 12.28 billion (excluding interest during construction). The revised estimated cost now stands at Rs 15.03 billion.

The company has already issued public shares and has over 1,075,000 ordinary investors.

The project is expected to generate 542.2 million units (kWh) of electricity annually. The NEA will purchase this electricity at a rate of Rs 8.40 per unit during the dry season and Rs 4.80 during the wet season, leading to an estimated annual revenue of Rs 2.8 billion for the company.