Loan agreement signed for 8MW Tadi hydropower

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 20: ABP Energy Pvt. Ltd. and Siddhartha Bank Limited have signed an agreement for credit facilities for the construction of the 8 MW Tadi Ghyangphedi Hydropower Project.

Chairman of ABP Energy Private Limited Purna Lal Shrestha and Credit Head of Siddhartha Bank Amit Shrestha signed the agreement regarding credit facilities at a programme organised in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1.64 billion. Chairman Shrestha said that an agreement has been reached with Siddhartha Bank to manage Rs. 1.23 billion, which is 75 per cent of the total cost, through long-term loans. 

The remaining 25 per cent will be managed from equity, he said.

The project is being developed by a group of experienced promoters. The company's directors include Balaram Khatiwada, general secretary of Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN) and Asgar Ali, information technology expert.

The Tadi Ghyangphedi Hydropower Project, located in Dupcheshwor Rural Municipality, Nuwakot, is targeted to complete within 18 months. 

The required commercial production date (RCOD) of the project has been set as May 14, 2027.

Khatiwada, general secretary of IPPAN and project director, said that the project also aims to generate income from hydro tourism once it comes into operation.

He said that as the project will be built on the trekking route to Gosainkunda, the camp house built by the project can be converted into a homestay and hospitality facility can be provided to tourists.

The production license for this project was received from the Department of Electricity Development (DOED) on July 15, 2024. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was concluded on September 13, 2024.

The project, which has a 3900-metre pipeline, has a head of 446 metres. 

The design discharge is 2.2 cusecs. The project, which will generate 48.7 million units of electricity annually, is projected to generate an annual income of Rs. 290 million. 

The project will generate 15.97 Gigawatt hours of energy in the dry season and 32.77 Gigawatt hours in the rainy season, said the company.