KATHMANDU: Another hydropower project is set to be constructed on the Chameliya River, established as the hydroelectric hub of Sudurpashchim Province.

The 28.30-megawatt Madhya Chameliya Hydropower Project, promoted by Darchula Power Company, is scheduled for construction on the river.

Located within the Api Nampa Conservation Area in Darchula, the project falls under Marma Rural Municipality.

The Department of Electricity Development granted the generation license for the run-of-the-river project on March 26, 2025.

All proposed structures for the project will be situated on the left bank of the Chameliya River.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment issued a public notice on Monday regarding the proposal for the project’s Supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA).

Previously, the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was approved by the then Ministry of Forests and Environment on March 20, 2024.

Similarly, approval for conducting the Supplementary Environmental Impact Assessment study was granted on January 5, 2026.

The notice mentions that the supplementary study is being conducted to evaluate potential environmental impacts arising from design modifications and structural relocation.

A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was executed between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and the promoter, Chameliya Power Limited, on October 16, 2023.

Financial closure for the project was subsequently achieved on June 4, 2025.

The proposed project site is located approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Gokuleshwar in Darchula district.

Upstream of the project lies the 40 MW Upper Chameliya Hydropower Project, while the 30 MW Chameliya Khola Hydropower Project is situated downstream.

The generated electricity will be connected to the NEA’s Balach Substation. The plant is expected to generate 118.52 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy during the wet season and 67.100 GWh during the dry season.

With a target completion timeline of three years, the total estimated cost of the project stands at Rs 6.23 billion.