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Arun-3 Hydropower
The Power Secretary presently reviews the progress of SJVN’s 900 MW Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project in Nepal. The project is under development on the Arun River in Eastern Nepal and includes planned power export from Nepal to India.
Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project (Nepal):
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Project type and capacity | It comprises a 900 MW run-of-the-river hydropower project. |
| Location | It is developed on the Arun River in the Sankhuwasabha District of Eastern Nepal. |
| River system | Arun is a tributary of the Koshi River in Nepal. |
| Key structures | It provides for a concrete gravity dam about 70 m high, and a Head Race Tunnel (HRT) of 11.74 km. |
| Powerhouse and units | It comprises an underground powerhouse with 4 generating units of 225 MW each on the left bank. |
| Cost and annual generation | It is estimated to cost more than $1.6 bn, and it produces 4,018.87 million units of electricity a year. |
| Status in Nepal | Once completed, it will be the biggest hydroelectric facility in Nepal. |
| Development model | It is developed on a build-own-operate and transfer (BOOT) basis. |
| Developer entity | It is developed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Arun 3 Power Development Company (SAPDC). |
| SAPDC composition | SAPDC comprises a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh. |
| Operation and transfer provision | SAPDC operates the facility for 25 years, excluding the construction period of 5 years, before transferring ownership to the Nepal government. |
| Free power to Nepal | Nepal receives 21.9% of the electricity generated as free power during the initial 25 years of commercial operations. |
| Power export route | Power from the project is exported from Dhalkebar in Nepal to Muzaffarpur in India. |