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The government has finalized investment modality for two of Nepal’s largest hydropower projects—the 1,200 MW Budhigandaki Reservoir Hydroelectric Project and the 1,063 MW Upper Arun Semi-Reservoir Hydroelectric Project.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, both projects will be built entirely with Nepali investment. Energy Minister Kulman Ghising has directed officials to submit the investment modality to the Cabinet and relevant authorities for final approval.

The government plans to mobilize funds for these projects through a mix of instruments, including equity by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), energy bonds, loans from banks and financial institutions, concessional government loans, and the infrastructure tax levied on petroleum imports. Likewise, shares will also be offered to migrant workers, Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs), and the general public.

The Budhigandaki project, located in Dhading and Gorkha, is expected to cost approximately Rs 374bn, with total costs rising to Rs 406 billion after accounting for Rs 32bn in interest during construction. The construction period is estimated at eight years.

Under the proposed 70:30 debt-equity structure, the government will invest Rs 248bn, including Rs 97.47bn in equity and Rs 150bn in concessional loans. The Rs 45bn already spent on land acquisition and preparatory works will be converted into equity. The plan also proposes channeling Customs and VAT revenues from project-related imports and allocating 50 percent of the infrastructure tax on petroleum products to the project.

NEA will make an equity investment of Rs 24.37bn in the project. The project company—Budhigandaki Company Ltd—will be owned 80 percent by the government and 20 percent by NEA.

To meet its debt requirement, the project will issue Rs 30bn in energy bonds, which banks and institutional investors can count toward mandatory liquidity. A consortium financing of Rs 104 billion is planned with participation from the Employees Provident Fund, Citizen Investment Trust, Social Security Fund and commercial banks.

The Upper Arun project is estimated to cost around Rs 214 billion. The project follows a similar 70:30 debt-equity structure, with 51 percent of equity reserved for institutional investors—including NEA, provincial and local governments, Nepal Telecom, EPF, CIT, Social Security Fund, HIDCL, insurance firms, and NEA subsidiaries. The general public, including migrant workers, employees of promoter institutions, locals and affected areas will hold the remaining 49 percent equity.

As per the investment modality, a consortium financing of Rs 168bn will be sought from banks and financial institutions. 

The World Bank had initially shown interest in the project. However, the project had become uncertain after the multilateral withdrawal reportedly after failing to secure the ‘go-ahead’ from the neighboring countries.

The Indian government undertaking SJVN is building three projects in the Arun corridor - the Arun III (900 MW), Lower Arun (669 MW) and Arun IV (695 MW). NEA will hold 49 percent stake in the joint venture with SJVN that will be formed to build Arun IV.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 248, 400 per tola today. 

The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 60 and is being traded at Rs 3, 280 per tola.

Goods worth Rs 33.21 billion have been exported through the Birgunj border in the first four months of the current fiscal year.

During the same period last fiscal, the export from the major border transit of the country was worth Rs 13.64 billion.

According to Birgunj Customs Chief Bishnu Prasad Gyawali, the exports included soybean oil worth Rs 17.32 billion and fruit juice worth Rs 2.60 billion, among others.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 9. 61 points to close at 2, 665. 60 points on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1. 64 points to close at 459. 17 points.

A total of 13,620,838-unit shares of 322 companies were traded for Rs 6. 69 billion.

Meanwhile, Jhapa Energy Limited (JHAPA) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. 

Likewise, Bottlers Nepal (Balaju) Limited (BNL) was the top loser as its price fell by 3. 94 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 51 trillion.