Taplejung, Nepal – The Kabeli-3 Hydropower Project, a promising initiative in Nepal’s renewable energy sector, has reached its final stages of construction. Located in Sirijangha Rural Municipality, this ambitious project is set to generate 21.93 megawatts of electricity, further strengthening the country's sustainable energy infrastructure.
The project, which began construction in January 2023 (Magh 2079 BS), is progressing as planned. Meghnath Dhungana, the project’s liaison officer, shared that the physical infrastructure is nearly complete and preparations are underway to commence formal electricity production by the first week of Chaitra (mid-March 2025).
Strategic Engineering and Infrastructure
Spanning across Wards 5, 6, and 7 of Sirijangha Rural Municipality, the Kabeli-3 project ingeniously utilizes water from the Kabeli River. According to Senior Engineer Siddhanta Thapaliya, water is diverted through a 5.128-kilometer tunnel from the Othamma Gahiri source, located at the border of Mamangkhe and Khebang, to the powerhouse in Pedang. From there, the electricity is transmitted to the Amarpur substation in Panchthar district via a 31-tower transmission line.
The Amarpur substation, with a 132 KVA capacity, will connect the generated power to Nepal's national grid, ensuring a reliable supply of clean energy for communities and industries.
Financial Backbone and Investment
The total cost of the Kabeli-3 Hydropower Project is estimated at NPR 4.285 billion. The financial backing comes from a consortium of NMB Bank, Prabhu Bank, and Nabil Bank Limited, demonstrating a strong partnership between Nepal's financial institutions and the energy sector.
Transforming the Region with Sustainable Energy
The Kabeli-3 project is part of a larger hydropower initiative in the region. Taplejung now boasts three significant hydropower projects, including the 13.5 MW Super Kabeli-A, which began operation in November 2024, and the recently completed 12 MW Super Kabeli project. Combined, these projects highlight the region’s growing role in Nepal’s journey toward energy self-sufficiency and economic development.
This milestone for Kabeli-3 not only reflects Nepal's commitment to harnessing its abundant water resources but also emphasizes the potential for renewable energy to drive sustainable development and improve local livelihoods.
With its completion imminent, the Kabeli-3 Hydropower Project stands as a testament to Nepal’s ongoing efforts to invest in clean energy solutions and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. As the project gears up to start generating electricity, it is poised to bring lasting benefits to both local communities and the national economy.
