Myardi Hydropower Project Manang Lamjung Update
9th February 2026, Kathmandu
The Myardi Hydropower Project in Manang has reached a critical regulatory milestone, signaling a new phase of energy development along the Marsyangdi River corridor. Located on the border of Nasong Rural Municipality (Manang) and Marsyangdi Rural Municipality (Lamjung), the 30-megawatt project has officially entered the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) phase under the supervision of the Ministry of Forests and Environment.
Myardi Hydropower Project Manang
Promoted by Myardi Khola Hydropower Company Pvt. Ltd., this run-of-river initiative is designed to harness the high-altitude water flow of the Myardi Khola, contributing to Nepal’s long-term goal of energy self-sufficiency and regional infrastructure growth.
Project Overview and Capacity
The Myardi Hydropower Project is strategically sized to balance environmental footprint with high energy yield. As a run-of-river (RoR) scheme, it avoids the large-scale displacement often associated with reservoir-based dams.
Installed Capacity: 30 MW.
Annual Energy Output: Estimated at 173.44 gigawatt-hours (GWh).
Project Type: Run-of-River (RoR).
Strategic Location: The project utilizes the steep gradients of the Myardi Khola, a major tributary in the upper Marsyangdi basin, which is becoming a central hub for clean energy in Nepal.
Grid Integration and Infrastructure
One of the most significant aspects of the project is its integration into the high-voltage national grid. This ensures that the energy produced is not just for local use but can be distributed across the country to meet industrial and urban demand.
Transmission Line: The company will construct a 10-kilometer-long 132 kV transmission line.
National Connection: The power will be evacuated to the 220 kV Manang Hub located at Dharapani.
Grid Reliability: Connecting to a 220 kV hub reduces transmission losses and provides a more stable link to the national power system.
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Investment and Financial Snapshot
The project represents a substantial capital investment in the Himalayan region, where logistics and terrain typically drive up costs. However, the projected per-megawatt cost remains competitive for high-altitude projects.
Total Estimated Investment: 3.91 billion rupees (approximately 390 crore and 97 lakh).
Cost per Megawatt: Roughly 13.03 crore rupees.
Economic Impact: Beyond power generation, the investment is expected to stimulate the local economy through road improvements and employment opportunities for residents of Manang and Lamjung.
The EIA: Balancing Energy and Ecology
The Ministry of Forests and Environment has initiated a public consultation process to ensure the project meets strict environmental standards. Given its location in a sensitive mountain ecosystem, the EIA will focus on:
Biodiversity Protection: Monitoring the impact on local aquatic life and forest corridors.
Water Rights: Ensuring that downstream communities retain sufficient water flow for agriculture and domestic use.
Slope Stability: Assessing the risk of landslides and erosion during the construction of the 10-km transmission line and the powerhouse.
The Ministry has formally invited suggestions and feedback from local governments and stakeholders to be incorporated into the final report.
Future Outlook
With the EIA underway, the project is moving toward financial closure—the stage where funding from banks and promoters is finalized. Successful completion of the Myardi project will add 30 MW of stable, renewable energy to the grid, helping to mitigate the seasonal power shortages that Nepal still experiences during the dry winter months.
Conclusion
The Myardi Hydropower Project stands as a testament to the growing technical and financial maturity of Nepal’s private hydropower sector. By utilizing a 30 MW capacity and a direct 220 kV hub connection, it offers a scalable model for clean energy development in the high Himalayas. As the EIA process concludes, the focus will shift toward ground-breaking and the physical transformation of the Manang-Lamjung border into a vital energy node.
For More: Myardi Hydropower Project Manang
