Kathmandu, October 24
The necessary steps for the development of the Humla Karnali Second Hydropower Project, which boasts a total capacity of 335 MW, have commenced in the economically lagging Humla district. Currently, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is in progress.
The Ministry of Forests and Environment has initiated the EIA based on recommendations from the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation. The Ruru Hydropower Project will oversee the construction. This project will be situated in the Kharpunath and Sarkegad Rural Municipalities of Humla.
Previously, the Ministry of Forests and Environment sought public input regarding the EIA through a public notice. A total of 47.13 hectares of land will be necessary for the project’s construction.
According to the Environmental Protection Act, 2076 BS, hydropower projects exceeding 50 megawatts must undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Consequently, the EIA work is being conducted, and the Ministry is currently undertaking the required studies.
The project is a significant initiative within the Karnali River Basin. As it will be constructed on the Humla Karnali, a perennial glacier-fed river, its importance is underscored. The design discharge for the proposed project is set at 118.70 cubic meters per second.
The project will also feature the construction of two diversion tunnels, measuring 545 meters and 542 meters in length, respectively. The diversion tunnel will have a diameter of 9.5 meters.
It is anticipated that the project will produce 609.89 gigawatt-hours of energy during the dry season and 1,184.83 gigawatt-hours during the rainy season. The electricity generated will be transmitted to the Mugu Karnali Hub via a 20-kilometer-long double-circuit 400 kV transmission line.
