The 21.93 MW Kabeli-3 Hydropower Project is set to begin production within the mid week of March. According to project officials, construction in Sirijunga Rural Municipality has reached its final stage.

Meghnath Dhungana, the project’s public relations officer, confirmed that the physical structures have been completed. “The construction is in its final phase, and we are preparing to start electricity production by mid March,” he said. The project is being developed by Kabeli Hydropower Company.

Construction began in January/ February 2023, with a target completion date in mid-March. The project spans multiple locations, including Sirijangha-5 Pedang, Ward 6 Mamangkhe, and Ward 7 Khebang. Water from the Othamma River, which flows along the border of Mamangkhe and Khebang, is being diverted to the powerhouse through a 5.128 km tunnel. The generated electricity will be transmitted to the Nepal Electricity Authority’s 132 kV Amarpur substation in Hilihang Rural Municipality, Panchthar.

Siddhant Thapaliya, the project’s senior engineer, stated that power will be delivered via a transmission line supported by 31 towers. The total project cost is estimated at NPR 4.285 billion. The initiative is funded through a partnership with NMB Bank, Prabhu Bank, and Nabil Bank Ltd.

The Kabeli River has already been tapped for hydropower, with Super Kabeli ‘A’ (13.5 MW) and Super Kabeli (12 MW) projects in operation.

Source: Kantipur