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As the Nepal Electricity Authority celebrates its 41st anniversary today, the history of the country’s electricity development is linked to a journey of more than one hundred years.

The first chapter of modern Nepal’s electricity journey began with the Pharping Hydropower Project. However, this historic project, which brought the country towards the light of electricity, is now becoming dilapidated due to lack of conservation.

Located in Pharping, Dakshinkali Municipality-1, the Pharping Hydropower Center is considered Nepal’s first and South Asia’s second hydropower project. Initiated by the then Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher Rana, the project was formally operationalized on May 23, 1911. Constructed over approximately four years, the project initially produced a total of 500 kilowatts of electricity through two turbines of 250-250 kilowatt capacity each.

At that time, when there was no road or modern transportation facility, the necessary equipment from Britain and Europe was brought to Kolkata and then to Nepal, and transported to Pharping with the help of porters, mules, and baskets. Electricity was generated by collecting water from three small streams and the source. The generated electricity was distributed to the then palace, Rana families, government offices, and some places in Kathmandu. It was from this project that the Kathmandu Valley first saw the light of electricity.

The electricity produced from Pharping at that time was named ‘Chandrajyoti’. The production capacity of 500 kilowatts was a significant achievement in itself. While the Sidrapong Hydropower Project in Darjeeling, India, came into operation in 1897, Pharping came into operation a few years later.

Over time, large hydropower projects began to be constructed across the country. From Kulekhani, Trishuli, Devighat, Marsyangdi, Kaligandaki ‘A’, Middle Marsyangdi to Upper Tamakoshi, Nepal’s electricity system has made great strides. Currently, there has been a significant increase in hydropower generation through private sector, Nepal Electricity Authority, and its subsidiary companies.

According to the latest data from the Department of Electricity Development, hundreds of hydropower projects with a capacity of more than one megawatt are in operation. Private sector projects are also being added rapidly. According to the latest data from the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN), electricity generation of approximately 3,763 megawatts from 205 hydropower projects and about 142 megawatts from 25 solar projects is currently underway. Including co-generation from industries, the total capacity of operational projects has reached about 3,911 megawatts.

Through subsidiary companies of Nepal Electricity Authority alone, 646.4 megawatts capacity including Upper Tamakoshi 456 MW, Rasuwagadhi 111 MW, Sanjen 42.5 MW, Chilime 22.1 MW, and Upper Sanjen 14.8 MW has been connected to the national grid. Among these, the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi is currently the largest operational hydropower project in Nepal.

Similarly, along with the increase in electricity generation in the country, there are a large number of projects under construction and study. According to the latest data from the Department of Electricity Development, various reservoir and run-of-river projects such as Badigad, Bhurbung, Bheri-2, Chera-1 are in the study phase.

Thus, Nepal’s electricity journey, which started with 500 kilowatts in Pharping, has now reached the stage of thousands of megawatts. However, the first step of this journey is currently awaiting conservation.

Centennial Monument Becoming Dilapidated

A centennial festival was organized in 2067 BS to mark the completion of one hundred years of the Pharping Hydropower Center. During that time, a centennial monument was also constructed on the center’s premises. Since then, there have been announcements to develop Pharping as a museum and tourist destination.

However, the condition there is currently disappointing. Due to lack of conservation and regular cleaning, the centennial monument area is covered with garbage, weeds, and grass. The path leading to the monument is also covered with grass. The place, which should be a center of attraction for tourists and researchers, has now become neglected.

The historical structures within the center’s premises, such as the administrative and residential buildings, warehouse, and stables, are also becoming dilapidated due to lack of proper conservation. Bricks and debris from some structures are scattered around. However, the historical machines and turbines are in a relatively safe condition.

Production Halted, But Water Use Continues

Regular electricity generation is not currently happening from the Pharping Hydropower Center. Electricity generation has stopped as the water used for electricity production has recently started being used as drinking water in various areas of Lalitpur. The center’s water is being distributed to areas like Bhainsepati, Khokana, Bungmati, Champi, Jawalakhel, Kupandol, and Kumaripat.

Even though electricity generation has stopped, the old turbines, generators, control systems, and other equipment here carry the history of Nepal’s initial electricity technology. For this reason, there have been calls to conserve Pharping not just as a ‘closed power project’ but as a living document of study, research, and energy history.

The government and Nepal Electricity Authority have put forward plans to develop Pharping as an energy museum, research center, and tourist destination. A master plan has also been initiated to utilize the approximately 324 ropanis of land owned by the project to construct structures such as a green park, library, children’s park, and restaurant. However, the implementation of the master plan has not progressed at the expected pace.

‘Diamond Jubilee Park’, constructed for tourism promotion, is also linked to the potential of this area. By integrating the natural beauty, historic power house, old machines, and reservoir, and developing it into a well-managed tourist destination, Pharping can become an important energy-tourism center in the Kathmandu Valley.

More than a century ago, Pharping opened the door to modern energy development in Nepal by producing 500 kilowatts of electricity. Since then, the country has traveled to the stage of thousands of megawatts of electricity production capacity and has even started exporting electricity to India during the monsoon season.

However, amidst discussions of energy development reaching thousands of megawatts, it is ironic that the first chapter of that journey is left unprotected. If the old machines, reservoir, pipeline, administrative buildings, residential structures, and the centennial monument in Pharping are conserved in an integrated manner, it can serve as an important medium to educate new generations about Nepal’s electricity history.

On the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Nepal Electricity Authority, as the country’s electricity generation journey is being reviewed, Pharping raises an important question: ‘How well have we preserved the 500-kilowatt first power house that became the foundation of modern Nepal, which now produces thousands of megawatts?’

Although Pharping is not an active electricity generation center today, it is a living heritage carrying the first light of Nepal’s energy history. Therefore, its conservation is not just about preserving an old power house, but also a sensitive issue of preserving the history of Nepal’s modern energy journey.

Ratopati