KATHMANDU: The Department of Electricity Development granted survey permits to 147 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 8,776 MW in fiscal year 2024/25.

Additionally, survey licenses were issued for solar projects totaling 1,851 MW.

According to the Energy Ministry, 277 projects—265 hydropower (10,751 MW) and 13 solar (99 MW)—received production licenses totaling 10,850 MW during the year.

Since Energy Minister Deepak Khadka took office, production licenses for these 277 projects have been approved. Also, 30 hydropower (1,243 MW) and 8 solar (50 MW) projects received individual production approvals.

In infrastructure, 300 circuit kilometers of transmission lines and 700 MVA substations were completed last year. Overall, Nepal now has 6,800 circuit kilometers of transmission lines and substations with a 13,754 MVA capacity.

The ministry also issued survey permits for 69 transmission lines (1,031 circuit km) and construction licenses for 26 lines (278 circuit km).

In total, 144 transmission line surveys (3,174 circuit km) and 271 transmission permits (5,706 circuit km) were granted.