The Super Kabeli Khola A Hydropower Project (SKKAHPP) is a Run-of-River (RoR) type hydropower project located in Sirijangha Rural Municipality, Wards No. 7 and 8 (formerly Yamphudin and Kheban VDCs), Taplejung District, Mechi Zone, Koshi Province, Nepal. The project site lies approximately 253 km northeast (aerial distance) of Kathmandu. Kabeli Khola, on which the project is developed, is a major tributary of the Tamor River. The project area extends between latitudes 27°25′45″ N to 27°27′45″ N and longitudes 87°54′02″ E to 87°55′40″ E.
The project has been fully constructed and commissioned, and it is currently generating electricity. The major project components include a diversion weir, intake, gravel trap, approach culvert, settling basin, waterways (headrace pipe), surge pipe, penstock pipe, powerhouse, and tailrace canal. The project comprises two headworks arrangements, one at Kabeli Khola and the other at Amji Khola. The weir axis at Kabeli Khola is located approximately 1.3 km upstream of the confluence of Kabeli Khola and Amji Khola, while the weir axis at Amji Khola is located about 1 km upstream of the same confluence.
A low- to medium-head headrace pipe conveys the design discharge of 8.35 m³/s during the wet season from the settling basin outlet to the powerhouse. Additional discharge during the dry season is conveyed from Amji Khola through a separate headrace pipe. A siphon has been constructed to cross Kabeli Khola approximately 50 m downstream of the confluence of Kabeli Khola and Amji Khola for the headrace pipe conveying discharge from Amji Khola. Downstream of the siphon, the headrace pipe conveys the combined discharge along the left bank of Kabeli Khola up to the surge pipe, which is located just upstream of the powerhouse.
From the surge pipe, a penstock pipe conveys the design discharge to the surface powerhouse, which houses two horizontal-axis Francis turbines. The entire waterway alignment and most of the project components are located on the left bank of Kabeli Khola. The powerhouse is situated near Ratetar, approximately 200 m upstream of the confluence of Rate Khola and Kabeli Khola. After power generation, the diverted water is discharged downstream and conveyed to the Super Kabeli Khola Hydropower Project (SKKHPP, 12 MW) through a free-flow type tailrace culvert.
A switchyard has been constructed adjacent to the powerhouse, from where the generated power is evacuated via an approximately 6 km long 132 kV transmission line to the powerhouse area of SKKCHPP. From there, a combined 132 kV transmission line of about 25 km length evacuates the power to the Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS) at the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Amarpur (Kabeli) Substation.
The project has an installed capacity of 13.5 MW and generates a net annual energy of approximately 80.343 GWh, comprising 12.919 GWh of dry-season energy and 67.424 GWh of wet-season energy. The project has been developed by Snow Rivers Limited and has been in commercial operation since Poush 05, 2081.
At Snow Rivers Limited, our vision is to be a leading sustainable hydropower developer in Nepal, harnessing the immense potential of the nation’s rivers to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy for the socioeconomic growth of Nepal. We are committed to excellence in engineering, environmental stewardship, and community partnership, ensuring that our projects contribute to national prosperity, local development, and a resilient energy future.
Our mission is to develop, own, and operate hydropower projects in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner, contributing to Nepal’s transition toward clean and renewable energy. We strive to deliver long-term value through sound engineering, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence, while fostering positive relationships with local communities, stakeholders, and national institutions. Through sustainable practices and innovation, Snow Rivers Limited is committed to supporting energy security, economic development, and environmental conservation in Nepal.
