Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project

The Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project is Nepal’s largest hydroelectric power plant, with an installed capacity of 456 megawatts. Located in Lamabagar of Dolakha District within the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, the project utilizes the Tamakoshi River, a tributary of the Sapt Koshi River. It is a peaking run-of-the-river type project featuring six Pelton turbines and a hydraulic head of 822 meters. With an annual generation capacity of approximately 2,281 GWh, the project includes extensive infrastructure such as underground powerhouses, headrace tunnels, and surge shafts. Construction began in 2011 and, despite delays from the 2015 earthquake, labor issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic, it began full operation in July 2021. Owned by Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited, a company promoted by the Nepal Electricity Authority, the project is entirely funded by domestic institutions and is considered a national pride project, supplying a significant portion of Nepal’s electricity needs.