SJVN inks MoU with IBN for hydro-electric project

On completion, the project will generate 2,970 million units of electricity per annum.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed for the development of 679 MW Lower Arun hydro-electric project (HEP) between SJVN and the Investment Board of Nepal (IBN) in Kathmandu. The MoU was by signed by Nand Lal Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director, SJVN and Sushil Bhatta, CEO, IBN.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, Bishnu Prasad Paudel and Ambassador of India to Nepal, Vinay Mohan Kwatra. On this occasion, Arun Dhiman, CEO and Jitender Yadav, CFO, SAPDC, were also present along with other senior officials from Government of Nepal and SJVN.

The Lower Arun HEP is located in Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts of Nepal. The project will not have any reservoir or dam and will be a tail race development of 900 MW Arun3 HEP. The project will have four Francis type turbines. On completion, the project will generate 2,970 million units of electricity per annum. The project is scheduled to be completed in four years after commencement of construction activities. The project has been allocated to SJVN for 25 years on BOOT basis.

Sharma expressed deepest gratitude to the Government of Nepal for keeping their faith in the abilities and capabilities of SJVN by selecting it as developer for Lower Arun HEP. He also thanked Ministry of Power, Government of India for supporting SJVN in all its endeavours in India and abroad. He further informed that SJVN started its journey in Nepal in the year 2008 by signing of MoU for implementation of 900 MW Arun-3 Project. The project construction activities commenced with laying of foundation stone jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in 2018 with the active help and support of IBN and the Government of Nepal.

SJVN’s present installed capacity is 2,016.51 MW and aims to be 5,000 MW company by 2023, 12,000 MW company by 2030 and 25,000 MW company by 2040. SJVN has presence in various sectors of energy generation which includes hydro, wind, solar and thermal. The company also has presence in the field of energy transmission.