KATHMANDU, July 21: The Department of Electricity Development issued survey permits to 99 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 3,211 MW during the fiscal year 2025/26 (2082/83).
The department also granted survey permits to seven solar power projects with a combined capacity of 311 MW.
How sustainable is hydropower development in Nepal?
In the transmission sector, survey permits were issued for projects covering 179 circuit kilometers of 220 kV transmission lines, 270 circuit kilometers of 132 kV lines, and 132 circuit kilometers of 33 kV lines.
During the same fiscal year, 29 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 1,857 MW received generation licenses. Three solar projects with a total capacity of 31 MW were also granted generation licenses.
The department collects around Rs 3.5 billion in royalties annually. According to the department, the royalties are distributed among provincial and local governments, contributing significantly to their economic development and infrastructure.
So far, the department has issued generation licenses to 264 hydropower projects with a combined installed capacity of 12,336 MW. It has also licensed 10 solar projects with a total capacity of 74.6 MW.
For transmission infrastructure, construction permits have been issued for 1,097 circuit kilometers of 400 kV transmission lines, 656 circuit kilometers of 220 kV lines, 1,608 circuit kilometers of 132 kV lines, and 337 circuit kilometers of 33 kV lines, Department Director General Mandevi Shrestha stated.
