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The construction process of the 60 MW “Upper Tamor A Hydropower Project” has progressed. The Department of Electricity Development (under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation) has issued a public notice stating that, for the first time, on January 24, 2025, a notice was published and that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Feasibility Study Report (FSR) for the proposed project have been approved. Therefore, necessary procedures are being carried out in accordance with the prevailing laws.

The proposed project is planned to be constructed on the Tamor River in Faktanglung Rural Municipality, Taplejung District, Koshi Province. This run-of-the-river type project will have an installed capacity of 60 MW.

According to the Electricity Act, 1992, and the Electricity Regulations, 1994, the department called for applications on January 3, 2024. On this basis, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was approved by the Ministry of Forests and Environment on October 8, 2023. Additionally, the Feasibility Study Report was completed in February 2022, the department stated.

The project is estimated to generate approximately 332.27 GWh of electricity annually. For the project, a concrete OG-shaped gravity dam, about 25 meters long and 5 meters high, will be constructed on the Tamor River. The dam’s crest elevation will be 2,345 meters above sea level, and the maximum water level will reach 2,351 meters.

Water from the dam will be conveyed through a 640-meter-long headrace tunnel and a 5-meter-diameter penstock pipe to an underground powerhouse. Two turbines, each with a capacity of 30 MW, will be installed in the powerhouse, producing a total of 60 MW of electricity.

The generated electricity will be transmitted via a 132 kV transmission line to the Basantpur Substation in Sankhuwasabha District, approximately 45 km away. Water will be returned to the Tamor River from the project’s tailrace. The construction of the project is expected to be completed within 45 months.

The department stated that measures outlined in the approved EIA report will be followed to minimize impacts on biodiversity, wildlife, and local communities around the dam and powerhouse areas.

During project implementation, mitigation measures will be adopted to address soil erosion, air pollution, and other potential environmental impacts.

The Department of Electricity Development has urged stakeholders to contact the relevant authorities for further information regarding the project.

Once implemented, this project is expected to enhance electricity production and strengthen the national power system, thereby further increasing the energy production capacity of Koshi Province.

Jalasarokar