Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: A 30-megawatt Myardi Hydropower Project is set to be developed between Nasong Rural Municipality of Manang and Marsyangdi Rural Municipality of Lamjung, with the government initiating the environmental assessment process as part of project development.
The Ministry of Forests and Environment has begun preparations for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, marking a key procedural step toward implementation. Authorities have also called on all concerned stakeholders to provide information and feedback regarding potential environmental impacts associated with the project.
The project is being proposed by Myardi Khola Hydropower Company Pvt. Ltd. and is designed as a run-of-river (RoR) scheme, a model commonly used in Nepal’s hydropower sector to harness river flow without large reservoir storage.
According to project details, the plant is expected to generate an annual average of 173.44 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity. The generated power will be evacuated through a 10-kilometer-long 132 kV transmission line and connected to the 220 kV Manang Hub substation at Dharapani, from where it will be integrated into the national grid.
The total estimated project cost stands at Rs 3.90 billion (Rs 3.9097 billion). Based on this, the per-megawatt investment cost is calculated at approximately Rs 130.3 million, which falls within the typical cost range for medium-scale run-of-river hydropower projects in Nepal’s mountainous terrain.
Officials say the EIA process will evaluate potential impacts on forests, biodiversity, water flow, local settlements, and livelihoods, as well as propose mitigation measures. Public consultation and stakeholder engagement form a mandatory part of the environmental clearance process under Nepal’s regulatory framework.
The project adds to ongoing efforts to expand domestic electricity generation capacity, reduce energy imports, and strengthen transmission connectivity in the Gandaki Province region, which hosts a growing number of hydropower developments.
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