Setikhola Hydropower Project Begins Power Production in Kaski; Plans to Issue IPO
The 22 MW Setikhola Hydropower Project, developed by Setikhola Hydropower Limited, has commenced trial electricity generation and started supplying power to the national transmission grid.
The project began construction in Mangsir 2078 BS which is Located at Pokhara Metropolitan City–33 in Kaski. According to the company, the project entered trial operation after a technical team from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) completed the inspection and testing of the plant.
The trial generation will continue for 15 days, during which electricity will be supplied to the national grid while the project's equipment undergoes technical performance testing. Commercial operation is expected to begin after the successful completion of the trial period.
The project had initially aimed to begin production last Mangsir, however, completion was delayed due to a hold-up in the forest area approval process related to transmission line construction. Baral explained that of the five towers built for the transmission line, three fall within forest areas, which delayed the necessary approvals.
The dam for the project has been constructed at Tiklang, Pokhara-33, on the Seti River. Water is channeled from there to the powerhouse at Tallopunditar through a 3,106-meter-long tunnel. Two turbines, each with a capacity of 11 MW, have been installed at the powerhouse.
The project represents a total investment of Rs 5.05 billion. Once commercial operations begin, preparations are underway to issue an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the general public within the next fiscal year.
Several hydropower projects of varying capacities are currently under development on the Seti River. The 25 MW Seti River Hydropower Project, promoted by Vision Lumbini Energy Company, has been commercially generating electricity since last year. In addition, about half a dozen projects are in their initial construction phase, while several others remain under construction.
