Project Status: Feasibility Study

Project Country: Nepal

Project Size: 20 MW

Purpose: Power Sale to Nepal Electric Authority.

Projected Feasibility Study: Nov. 2009 - Dec. 2010

Projected Construction: Jul. 2011 - Jul. 2013

Projected Commission: August 2013

Project Description: Balephi, one of the major contributors/tributary of Sunkosi River, originates at Langtang Himal situated more than 5,000 meters from AMSL. The river basin is extended up to 6,979 meter (Dole Pahad) of altitude, where the upper part is full of snow covered mountains and occupied approximately 100 km2 in area. The major part of the river basin is in lower mountain range. Several small and medium size streams have been feeding to this river, which ultimately increases the reliability of the flow of the river.

The proposed Balephi-A Hydropower Project is located in North-east part of Sindhupalchowk district, which is about 120 km north-east from Kathmandu. The project site is in ward no 9 of the Baramchi Village Development Committee (VDC). 

The intake of the project is proposed at down side of Upper Balephi Hydropower Project, near Chanute as marked in the topographical map. Balephi is the border of Baramchi and Selang VDC where Selang VDC is on right side. The proposed alignment of the headrace canal is on the left side as shown in the map in Annex. Likewise the proposed powerhouse location is 1.5 kM downstream side from the proposed intake near Kumbeshowr.

The proposed project is run-of-the river type and there is no significant impact over the existing environment due to the presence of external structures like diversion, intake, de-sander, forebay and powerhouse since all of these structures will have small in size and volume. Moreover there is no poundage due to the presence of diversion weir and other structures since the weir will be constructed free flow type.

Balephi-A Hydropower Project could produce 20 MW of power under the gross head of 50 meter and total rated turbine flow of 25 m3/sec. Based on the desk study, the capacity could generate annual firm energy production of approximately 115.50 GWh. The project has no peaking capacity and would be operate solely in a run-of-river mode.