The 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, under construction in Rasuwa, has spent approximately Rs 170m in the affected areas through its Community Support Program (CSP).

The project’s developer, Nepal Water and Energy Development Company, has been supporting local communities through initiatives in education, health, drinking water, road infrastructure, cultural preservation, relief distribution, and livelihood development. These efforts fall under the CSP, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the Indigenous Community Planning Program.

Led by Korean companies, the project is being built with direct foreign investment. The dam and other structures are under construction in Hakuma, Amachodingmo Rural Municipality-1, while the underground power plant is being developed in Uttargaya Rural Municipality-1. Upper Trishuli-1 is the largest hydropower project under construction in Nepal with direct foreign investment, and its electricity will be used for domestic consumption.

In response to the 2015 earthquake, the company provided relief materials, constructed temporary shelters, and built school and health institution buildings. Helicopter rescues and health camps were also conducted in the affected areas.

For the first time in Nepal, the project has implemented a Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process for indigenous communities. A separate Indigenous Community Plan was developed, considering their location, environment, and cultural heritage, with a dedicated budget for community-selected programs. Rs 25 million has been spent under this initiative.

CEO Byeong Su Min emphasized that the community support programs aim to enhance the economic and social well-being of affected residents. He stated that projects are selected based on local priorities and will continue as needed.

The project has spent Rs 78.6m to construct a Bailey bridge over the Trishuli River in Haku Valley, providing vital road access to residents of Amachodingmo Rural Municipality. This bridge also facilitates project-related transportation. Additionally, Rs 18.57m has been spent on road construction in affected areas, with Rs 7m allocated for the Dhunche-Khodol road.

To support education, school buildings have been constructed, and educational materials distributed. The project is also funding monastery construction and cultural preservation programs for indigenous communities.

To restore livelihoods and boost incomes, 121 people from project-affected households have received vocational training in Korean and Japanese language, driving, electrical work, welding, tailoring, motorcycle repair, and beauty services.

Currently, about 1,000 workers are engaged in construction, including 400 local residents from Rasuwa, of whom 154 belong to project-affected households. Over the five-year construction period, the project will provide daily employment to 800–1,000 Nepali workers.

Construction began in January 2022, with significant progress on the underground powerhouse, main tunnel, and dam. Overall physical progress stands at 52 percent. The Korean company Doosan Enerbility is responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction. Equity investors include the Korean government-owned Koen and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) under the World Bank Group.

The project is financed through 70 percent debt and 30 percent equity. Nine international financial institutions have committed $453.2 million to the project, which has a total estimated cost of $647.3m, including interest during construction. The remaining funds are covered through equity investments. Once completed, the project will generate 1.53 billion units of electricity annually.

Of the total annual energy output, 38.75 percent will be generated in winter and 61.25 percent during the rainy season. The electricity will be transmitted to the national grid via the Trishuli-3B Hub Substation, being constructed by the Nepal Electricity Authority, under a power purchase agreement with the authority.

Due to its proximity to Kathmandu, the project is considered vital for Nepal’s electricity system. It will generate 104 MW even during the winter when demand is high. Completion is targeted for Dec 2026.