Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project (BGHEP) is a Peaking Run of the River (PRoR) type project with an installed capacity of 341 MW being developed by Times Energy Pvt. Ltd. (a subsidiary company of Sahas Urja Limited) that lies in Gorkha district of Gandaki Province of Nepal. The headworks site is located near Salleri and Jagat Village in Chumnubri Rural Municipality and Powerhouse is situated at Tatopani village of Dharche Rural Municipality in Gorkha district. The major structures of the project are diversion tunnel, undersluice, intake, approach tunnel, settling basin, headrace tunnel, surge tunnel, penstock tunnel, powerhouse and tailrace. All the structures after the intake are underground structures. The energy generated from the project will be evacuated to the Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS) at Ratmate substation at Nuwakot. Geographically, the physical area of the project extends between 28° 17′ 00” to 28° 22′ 30″ north of latitude and 84° 52′ 40″ to 84° 55′ 15″ east of longitude.
Department of Electricity Development (DoED) had awarded the survey license to the company on 2068-01-14 (2011 A.D) to conduct the necessary investigations, feasibility study and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project. DoED has awarded the Generation License on 2080-09-05 (December 21, 2023).
The application for PPA was filed to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and regular follow ups were made with the Power Trade department of NEA. Finally, PPA was concluded with Power Trade on 2081-03-12 (26 June 2024).
Syndicated Credit Facilities Agreement for the project has been concluded between Times Energy Pvt Ltd. and Nepal Investment Mega Bank Ltd. as lead bank with Nabil Bank, Laxmi Sunrise Bank and Global IME Bank as Co-Lead Banks along with other participating financial institutions and banks namely Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Ltd, Machhapuchhre Bank, Citizens Bank, Nepal Infrastructure Bank Ltd., Prabhu Bank and Agriculture Development Bank on 7th August, 2025.
Salient Features of Budhi Gandaki Hydroelectric Project (BGHEP)
| Type of Project | PRoR |
| Location | Chumnubri Rural Municipality & Dharche Rural Municipality, Gorkha |
| Geographical Coordinate | 28° 17′ 00” to 28° 22′ 30″ N / 84° 52′ 40″ to 84° 55′ 15″ E |
| Name of the River | Budhi Gandaki River |
| Access Road | 170km from Kathmandu (127 km (highway), 43 km (seasonal road) |
| Catchment Area /Diversion Flood at Intake | 3044 sq. km / 3786 m3/sec (1 in 1000 yrs. return period), 1601 m3/sec (1 in 10 yrs. return period) |
| Design Discharge | 100.27 m3/sec |
| Inundation area / Full Supply Level | 0.23 km2 / 1325 masl |
| Live Storage | 1.8 million m3 |
| Dam Type/Length/Height | Concrete Gravity with Spillway / 54m / 30m |
| Intake No. / Flow | 6 nos. / 110.0 m3/sec (including 10% flushing) |
| Approach Tunnel Size /Length | 7.2 m (finished Dia.)/ 390 m |
| Inlet Pond No. / Size | 3 nos. / 7.2m x12m x 30m (W x L x H) |
| Settling Basin Type/ No./Size | Underground with intermittent flushing /3 nos. / 150m x 16.5m x 25m |
| Headrace Tunnel Type/Length/Diameter | Modified Horseshoe / 6842m / 6.5m |
| Surge Shaft Type/Size | Circular- Restricted Orifice / 22 m internal diameter; Height =60 m |
| Penstock length Vertical / Horizontal | 350m /585m |
| Penstock Diameter/ Thickness | 5 m / 20 mm to 55 mm |
| Powerhouse Type/Dimension | Underground / 110.5 x 16.5 x 37 m |
| Turbine Type / No. / Capacity / Setting Level | Pelton/ 6 numbers / 57 MW / 927m |
| Tailrace Tunnel Type / Shape / Length | Free Flow / Inverted D shape / 584m |
| Switchyard Type | Underground Cavern Gas Insulated Switchyard (GIS) |
| Transmission Line / Voltage /Length | 220 KV double circuit / 45km |
| Gross Head / Net Head / Installed Capacity | 398 m / 385.3m / 341MW |
| Dry Peak / Dry Off Peak | 320.3 GWh / 243.43 GWh |
| Wet Energy | 1304.04 GWh |
| Total Energy | 1867.77 GWh |
