The Department of Electricity Development (DoED) has decided to select qualified companies to conduct feasibility studies for six hydropower projects simultaneously.

The DoED has issued a tender notice seeking applications from interested parties to prepare feasibility and environmental impact assessment reports for six projects. The studies will focus on the Ghatganga, Super Loti, Upper Karnali B, Surnayagad, Chera-1, and Bheri-2 projects.

The Ghatganga project is a semi-reservoir hydropower project with a capacity of 34.5 megawatts, to be constructed in Bajhang. The Supper Loti hydropower project, identified in Humla, will have a capacity of 73.8 megawatts.

The Upper Karnali B is a semi-reservoir hydropower project that will be constructed in Achham and Dailekh, with an installed capacity of 113 megawatts. The Surunaygad project will be a reservoir-type project with a capacity of 114.5 megawatts, to be built in Baitadi.

The Chera-1 is a reservoir-type project identified in Jajarkot, with a capacity of 176 megawatts. The Bheri-2 is a semi-reservoir project, also identified in Jajarkot, with a capacity of 256 megawatts. The total capacity of these six projects is 776.8 megawatts. Interested Nepali companies can submit their applications until October 7.

Gopi Prasad Shah, Senior Divisional Engineer (CDE) at the DoED, stated that the consultant company will be selected within six months to begin the study. "At the earliest, it may take four months; otherwise, it will take six months to select the consultant," he said. "The study can be completed in about three and a half years, with some projects likely to accomplish the study in three years."

According to Shah, there was a plan to advance the study of nine projects simultaneously. However, due to inadequate preparations, 43 projects have been put on hold for the time being.