Construction of a 20-megawatt solar power project has begun in Chaulikha, Bardibas. Terra Sol Energy Company, which has received approval from the Nepal Electricity Authority, has started work on the project.

The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 1.2 billion. The company aims to generate electricity within six months and hand it over to the Dhalkebar Grid Division. Around 40 bighas of land leased from more than 80 farmers in Bardibas-6 and Bardibas-7 have been allocated for the project under a 30-year tenure.

According to Pooja Chand, Executive Director of the construction company, the project will be completed on schedule, and the electricity generated will be connected to the Dhalkebar Grid Division. “Construction work has already begun, and electricity generation is expected within six months,” Chand said. “The electricity produced will serve more than 10,000 households in Mahottari and Dhanusha.”

Madhesh Province Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav inaugurated the project during a ceremony on Thursday. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying event, Chief Minister Yadav stated that solar energy is a key foundation for the country’s energy prosperity and pledged the provincial government’s full support and coordination. He also urged the company to prioritize local residents when hiring workers, noting that the project would create employment opportunities at the local level.

Local farmers have expressed enthusiasm since the launch of the project. Jagannath Mahato of Bardibas-7 said the project has become both a source of income and an effective use of barren land lacking irrigation facilities. He added that the company has agreed to pay Rs 4,250 per plot annually, with a 10 percent increase every two years. The agreement was signed between the company and the farmers in the presence of the ward committee.

The construction company stated that the project will include the installation of four transformers, 68 inverters, and 333,000 solar panels. Dhalkebar Grid Division Chief Shree Narayan Mandal said the solar project is an environmentally friendly and efficient option for generating electricity in a short period. He noted that the electricity produced will be supplied to consumers in Mahottari and Dhanusha.

The launch of the solar energy project is expected to contribute significantly to energy development, local employment, and economic activity in the northern region of Mahottari.

Jalasarokar