Preparations have been advanced for the construction of two large hydroelectric projects based on the Budhigandaki River in Gorkha. The Budhigandaki ‘A’ Hydroelectric Project, with a capacity of 103.4 MW, and the Budhigandaki ‘B’ Hydroelectric Project, with a capacity of 226 MW, are in the final stages of preparation for construction, informed the project engineer, Durgesh Magar.

According to him, both projects are being promoted by Nayo Nepal Hydroelectric Company Pvt. Ltd. The company has planned to construct the Budhigandaki ‘A’ Project at an estimated cost of around NPR 3.132 billion and the Budhigandaki ‘B’ Project at an estimated cost of around NPR 5.699 billion.

Under the Budhigandaki ‘A’ Project, a dam will be constructed in Lusyang, Dharchhe Rural Municipality–3, and water will be channeled through a tunnel about four kilometers long to the powerhouse for electricity generation. This run-of-the-river project will generate electricity by releasing water from a 111-meter-high surface. The electricity produced here will be transmitted to the Budhigandaki ‘B’ Project through a 12.7-kilometer-long transmission line.

Similarly, the dam for the Budhigandaki ‘B’ Project will be constructed in Khanibensi, Dharchhe Rural Municipality–7. From there, water will be directed through a 9.5-kilometer-long tunnel to the planned powerhouse in Soti. This project will generate electricity by releasing water from a 197.97-meter-high surface.

According to Engineer Magar, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for both projects have already been completed. “Based on surveys conducted before the earthquake, we are now incorporating the geological changes that occurred after the earthquake and carrying out the final survey,” he said. “Preparations are underway to begin construction from the upcoming dry season.”

The total 329.4 MW of electricity, produced by both projects and transmitted from Budhigandaki ‘A’, will be connected to the substation in Lapa, Dhading, via an 18.5-kilometer-long transmission line. These projects are expected to make a significant contribution to the national electricity system, including in Gorkha.

Jalasarokar