11 MW Upper Tadi Khola hydropower project begins commercial production in Nuwakot

KATHMANDU: 11 MW Upper Tadi Khola Hydropower Project, completed by Surya Kunda Hydro Electric in Dupcheshwar Rural Municipality, Nuwakot District, has formally begun commercial production.

According to the company, the project was completed on July 2, 2025 and successfully finished a 15-day test operation. After successfully completing the testing phase, the project began regular supply of electricity to the national transmission system on July 27, 2025, starting its commercial production.

The electricity generated from the project is connected to the Samundratar substation in Nuwakot District via a switchyard and is now being supplied to the national grid through a 6-kilometre-long 33 kV transmission line.

API Power Company holds a majority share investment in this company. Surya Kunda Hydro Electric is a company established with the objective of developing and operating energy projects. The project had signed a power purchase agreement with Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on March 16, 2012.

The necessary Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) from the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation was approved on September 24, 2024. Likewise, the generation licence was obtained from the Ministry’s Department of Electricity Development on October 9, 2015.

The project’s intake is at an altitude of approximately 1,500 metres, and the powerhouse at 1,282 metres in Nuwakot.

The project is designed to produce a total of 11 MW from two Pelton turbine units (5.5 MW each) installed in the powerhouse. The diversion dam and auxiliary structures are also designed to withstand a 100-year recurrence flood, estimated at 247 cusec.

The electricity generated from the project is connected to the Samundratar substation in Nuwakot District via a switchyard and is now being supplied to the national grid through a 6-kilometre-long 33 kV transmission line.

It is estimated that this plant will produce 61.319 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. Of this, 50.893 gigawatt-hours are estimated to be produced during the monsoon and 10.425 gigawatt-hours during the dry season.

The company’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) process has already moved forward and is in the pipeline of the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON). It is expected that this project, with the successful start of production by Surya Kunda Hydro Electric, will further contribute to the national electricity supply, including Bagmati Province.