A major hydropower project with a total capacity of 335 megawatts is moving forward in Humla, one of Nepal’s least developed districts.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the Humla Karnali-II Hydropower Project has begun. The Ministry of Forests and Environment started the EIA work following the recommendation of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation. The project will be developed by Ruru Hydropower Project Limited.
The hydropower plant will be located in Kharpunath and Sarkegad rural municipalities of Humla district. The Ministry of Forests and Environment has already asked the public to share suggestions and feedback regarding the EIA study.
The project will require around 47.13 hectares of land. According to the Environmental Protection Act 2076, all hydropower projects with a capacity above 50 megawatts must go through an EIA process. Based on this rule, the ministry is now conducting detailed studies.
This river-based project lies within the Karnali River Basin, one of Nepal’s major river systems. Since the Humla Karnali is a perennial glacier-fed river, the project is considered highly important for the region’s energy development.
The proposed design discharge of the project is 118.70 cubic meters per second. It will include two diversion tunnels: one 545 meters long and the other 542 meters long, each with a diameter of 9.5 meters.
During the dry season, the project is expected to produce 609.89 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity, while during the rainy season, production will rise to 1,184.83 GWh.
Electricity generated from the project will be transmitted to the Mugu Karnali Hub through a 20-kilometer-long double-circuit 400 kV transmission line. Around 56 households will be affected by the construction, and 188 trees will need to be cut down.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 72.90 billion, with the cost per megawatt at around Rs 217.6 million. During the construction phase, around 1,805 people will get employment opportunities, and about 115 people will be employed once the project begins operation.
