Beni, Myagdi, March 18: The construction of the Upper Thulokhola ‘A’ Hydropower Project in Raghuganga Rural Municipality has reached its final stage, with 90% of the work completed so far.

Thulokhola Hydropower Limited has been developing the 22.5 MW project along the border of Chimkhola (Raghuganga-7) and Kuinemangle (Ward No. 8). Finance Chief Pradeep Khatiwada stated that the project is being expedited, aiming for a test production by mid-May.

Currently, 200 workers from Dev Energy Construction Pvt. Ltd. are engaged daily in infrastructure development, and essential equipment transportation is ongoing. The installation of electrical systems at the power plant is also in progress.

A key milestone the installation of 2,800 meters of pipeline for this tunnelless project is nearly finished. Project Chief Lok Bahadur Nayak explained that water will be channeled from the Raghuganga River’s Sugurthal dam to the power plant at Setini Valley. Additionally, efforts to construct a transmission line to integrate the generated power into the national grid are underway.

With an estimated cost of Rs 3 billion, the project is being financed through a 30% investment from the promoter and 70% funding from Agriculture Development Bank and Machhapuchhre Bank, led by Citizen Bank.

Once operational, the project is expected to contribute significantly to Nepal’s energy supply and infrastructure development.