The 25-MW Seti River Hydropower Project in Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality and Pokhara Metropolitan City of Kaski district, has been completed and is now connected to the national grid.

Vision Lumbini Energy Company Limited, the project’s developer, officially inaugurated the plant on Friday. The company began construction in 2077 BS (FY 2020/21) and started supplying electricity to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) from 2081 BS (FY 2024/25).

Company Chair Jagat Pokharel said the project has consistently generated more electricity than specified in the power purchase agreement since it began operations.

Electricity from the project is transmitted to the NEA’s Lahachok substation via a four-kilometer, 132 kV transmission line.

The project is expected to generate an annual income of Rs 870 million in its first year. It was built at a cost of around Rs 6 billion, financed through loans from the Employees Provident Fund and the Agricultural Development Bank, with NMB Bank as the lead financier.

At the inauguration, former Finance Minister Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada, Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) Chair Ganesh Karki, and other guests praised Vision Lumbini Energy for setting a high standard in hydropower development. -- RSS