The government of Sher Bahadur Deuba in Nepal has approved a proposal for India's National Hydropower Corp (NHPC) to study and develop two hydroelectric projects that have the combined potential to generate 1,200 megawatts of power.
A meeting of the Investment Board, Nepal, chaired by Prime Minister Deuba this week, decided to allow the NHPC to study and develop the 750 MW West Seti Storage Hydropower Project and 450 MW Seti River-6 Hydropower Project in Sudurpaschim Province.
The West Seti project is a highly anticipated project that was conceived about four decades ago. Both projects are located in the far west of Nepal and both are storage type projects.
The board approved the draft memorandum of understanding to be signed with the Indian company, according to a statement from the Investment Board.
NHPC Ltd, under the Indian Ministry of Energy, had submitted a proposal to develop the projects in May.
The West Seti project, first conceived some six decades ago, is located on the Seti River. The proposed dam site is located 82 km upstream of the confluence of the Seti and Karnali rivers and is part of the Ganges basin.
The new project locations are located at heights of 550 to 920 meters and are spread over six districts. The estimated cost of the project is $2.4 billion, according to the Investment Board.