The Department of Electricity Development (DoED) is seeking qualified companies to conduct feasibility studies for six hydropower projects simultaneously. A tender notice has been issued for interested parties to prepare feasibility and environmental impact assessment reports for the following projects: Ghatganga, Super Loti, Upper Karnali B, Surnayagad, Chera-1, and Bheri-2.
The Ghatganga project, located in Bajhang, is a semi-reservoir hydropower project with a capacity of 34.5 megawatts. The Super Loti project, situated in Humla, will have a capacity of 73.8 megawatts.
The Upper Karnali B, a semi-reservoir project, will be constructed across Achham and Dailekh, boasting an installed capacity of 113 megawatts. The Surnayagad project, a reservoir-type initiative, will be built in Baitadi with a capacity of 114.5 megawatts.
The Chera-1 project, also a reservoir-type, is identified in Jajarkot and will have a capacity of 176 megawatts. Finally, the Bheri-2, another semi-reservoir project in Jajarkot, will have a capacity of 256 megawatts. Together, these six projects will contribute a total capacity of 776.8 megawatts.
Nepali companies interested in participating can submit their applications until October 7. Gopi Prasad Shah, Senior Divisional Engineer (CDE) at the DoED, noted that the consultant company will be selected within six months, with an initial selection timeframe of four months. The feasibility studies are expected to take approximately three and a half years, with some projects potentially completing in three years.
Shah also mentioned that while there was an initial plan to advance studies for nine projects simultaneously, 43 projects are currently on hold due to inadequate preparations.