KATHMANDU: The government has allowed the private sector to build, operate and transfer five different hydropower projects through open competition.
It has already decided to allow the private sector to build five projects of 169.42 MW capacity in two phases through competition. Similarly, the government is preparing to handover projects namely Dudhkoshi Hydropower Project-4 (47 MW), Sankhuwakhola Hydropower Project-1 (40.82MW), Lower Hongu Hydropower Project (30.20MW), Kawadikhola Hydropower Project (30 MW) and Ingu Khola Hydropower Project (21.40 MW) to the private sector.
All these projects were studied by the Department of Electricity Development. The department had completed the study of these projects between 2018-2020. Madhu Prasad Bhetwal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation informed that the projects are being handed over to the private sector for construction.
In the first phase, proposals will be invited for the construction of Dudhkoshi-4, Sankhuwakhola-1, Lower Hongukhola and Ingu Khola hydropower projects to be constructed in Solukhumbu. Bhetwal said that applications will be invited in the second phase for the construction of Kawadikhola Hydropower Project to be built in Bajura.