Kaligandaki Hydropower Project Capacity Downgraded to 640 MW

The reservoir-based Kaligandaki Hydropower Project is now set to be built with a capacity of 640 megawatts. Initially proposed at 844 MW, the project's capacity has been revised downward to 640 MW after studies determined that this would be the most suitable configuration.

The project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is currently being prepared. The proposed dam will be located approximately 10 kilometers upstream from the confluence of the Seti and Kaligandaki rivers, in the Urleni Khangkot area — specifically in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-6, Gulmi, and Bihadi Rural Municipality-2, Parbat district. The dam is reported to be 244 meters tall.

When water accumulates behind the dam, a reservoir approximately 29 kilometers long will be formed, extending up to Khaniyaghat. The project has a net head of 183.4 meters. The design discharge is 405 cubic meters per second, with total annual energy generation estimated at 1,645.65 gigawatt-hours.

The project proposes four steel penstocks and a powerhouse equipped with four Francis turbines. The powerhouse is planned to be built at Barrachaur, Bihadi Rural Municipality, Parbat district. According to the project, the affected areas will include various wards of Jaljala Rural Municipality, Kushma Municipality, Phalewas Municipality, and Bihadi Rural Municipality in Parbat.

Additionally, various wards of Baglung Municipality and Jaimini Municipality in Baglung district will also be affected, along with Kaligandaki Rural Municipality in Gulmi and Galyang Municipality in Syangja.

The feasibility study and environmental assessment are being carried out by the Department of Electricity Development and the consultant company -- joint venture of SMEC International and Z Consult. The proposed project is accessible via Prithvi Highway, the Pokhara–Baglung road section, Dobilla–Phalebas Road (Kaligandaki Lokmarg), and the Kaligandaki Corridor. -- RSS