Highest mini-hydropower project planned near Mt Everest

KATHMANDU, Oct 1: A village in Solukhumbu is set to generate electricity from a perennial river near Mount Everest, following the Nepal government’s approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study, media reports said.

According to Sonam Gyalzen Sherpa, National Assembly Member and Chairman of the Federalism and National Concerns Committee, the Ministry of Forests and Environment approved the EIA study, allowing for the development of the Amadablam Mini Hydro Project near the world’s highest peak, the Himalayan reported.

The Amadablam Mini Hydro Project, the highest-altitude mini-hydropower plant globally, will be constructed at an altitude above 4,400 meters in the Everest region, requiring over two years of effort from the project team.

Laxman Adhikari, Chairman of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-4, has coordinated efforts to convince local authorities, UNESCO, and various ministries about the urgent need for power projects in protected national park areas, the report said.

According to Adhikari, the project will be implemented in Pangboche, with an elevation range within the project area of 3,951.18 meters to 4,422 meters.

The Amadablam Mini Hydro Project is a run-of-river scheme that uses water from Cholunche Khola, a perennial river and tributary of Imja Khola. Water will be diverted at an elevation of 4,423 meters, with intake made at 4,422 meters.

The project plans to generate electrical power using two units of turbines with a rated output of 485 kW and couple them with two 650 kVA synchronous generators.

The generated electricity will be transmitted through 11kV transmission lines and distributed through 1.1kV distribution lines to 451 households across 19 settlements, including Chukung, Debuche, Dingboche, Dole, Mongla, Fungi Thana, Lobuche Pangboche, Pheriche, Phortse, Thukla, and Tengboche.

The project, costing around 630 million rupees, has secured 60 percent of its funding from a World Bank loan and received a 20.73 percent government subsidy from the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, Adhikari said.

Adhikari announced that this is the first project completed within Sagarmatha National Park/World’s Heritage Site, following all necessary procedures, and the contractor has been appointed for headwork structures.

A total of 72,500 man-days of human resources will be employed during construction, and at least five people will be employed for power generation once completed, the report said.

According to Adhikari, the construction is expected to take 18 months, completing by early 2026, with the land acquisition process starting as soon as possible.  (UNI)