Baglung . The Darmakhola Hydropower Project has officially begun commercial electricity generation. Although the project was initially proposed in 2008 (BS 2065), construction only began in 2020 (BS 2077). After years of delays and obstacles, the project finally entered commercial operation on Sunday.
Operated by Darmakhola Hydro Energy Limited, the plant was connected to the national transmission line on October 16 (Ashoj 30). The project has an installed capacity of 9.6 MW.
Originally planned to be developed by Gorkha Hydropower Company, the project was later taken over by Darmakhola Hydro Energy Pvt. Ltd. The dam is built at Kandeabas in Galkot Municipality–8, while the powerhouse is located 4.5 kilometers west at Manevapata, according to project engineer Mithilesh Chaudhary.
Engineer Chaudhary stated that although the plant has the capacity to generate 9.6 MW during the monsoon, winter generation is currently limited to 6.6 MW. “The project was connected to Nepal Electricity Authority’s transmission line a month ago, linking it to the Harichaur substation located 14 kilometers east of the powerhouse. Commercial generation, however, has only just stabilized,” he explained.
Ramechhap Sherpa Construction and Krimhydel Limited were responsible for the project’s construction. Project chairman Nar Bahadur Pun said several obstacles during construction caused delays. He added that although Gorkha Hydropower Company initially received the license, it failed to begin work, prompting his team to take over.
Pun stated that more than Rs 2 billion has been invested to complete the project. With power generation now underway, he expects the electricity supply to extend to remote settlements of Baglung.
“Darmakhola Hydropower is the largest hydropower project built in Baglung so far,” Pun said. “Although the survey was conducted many years ago, various issues slowed the process. Seventeen years ago, Gorkha Hydropower Company received the license, but after it was canceled, we formed a new company and carried the work forward. Now, the project is complete and operational.”
