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Preliminary work has begun on the 306 MW Upper Mugu Karnali Hydropower Project, which will be developed in Karmarong Rural Municipality and Chhayanath Rara Municipality of Mugu district.

The semi-reservoir project is being promoted by private sector developer Elevate Energy. The company said it has initiated the necessary procedures to obtain the project’s generation license. It had previously received a survey license for the project in 2020.

A public notice has been published for the preparation of the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and feasibility study report. The project is estimated to generate an average of 1,629 GWh of electricity annually.

According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Prabin Aryal, the project’s actual generation capacity will be confirmed after the completion of the full feasibility study report. He said preliminary works at the project site have already been completed, while design and headworks studies are currently being carried out by Hydrolab.

The powerhouse will be equipped with four vertical-axis Pelton turbines and generators. The electricity generated by the project will be evacuated through a 55-kilometre 400 kV double-circuit transmission line connecting to the Phukot Hub Substation.

The company aims to begin commercial electricity generation by August 2033. The total project cost is estimated at approximately Rs 55.33 billion.

The Department of Electricity Development has issued a public notice based on the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and feasibility study reports, stating that the required approval process has been initiated.

Jalasarokar