Kulekhani I Hydropower Stationकुलेखानी-१
Nepal's only reservoir (storage) hydropower scheme, at Kulekhani in Makwanpur. The 60 MW Kulekhani I draws on water stored behind the Indra Sarovar dam and was commissioned in 1982 with World Bank and Japanese support. Its stored water also feeds the downstream Kulekhani II and III plants.
Installed capacity
60 MW
Reservoir
River / basin
Kulekhani
Bagmati basin
Location
Makwanpur
Bagmati
Commissioned
1982
Operational
Milestones to commissioning
The route from construction to commercial operation.
- 1982
Commissioned
Location
Approximate dam-area location on OpenStreetMap — precise to the district and river reach, not the exact structure.
Kulekhani I Hydropower Station: key facts
Quick answers on capacity, river, developer, status and commissioning, drawn from the sourced data above.
What is the capacity of the Kulekhani I Hydropower Station?+
The Kulekhani I Hydropower Station has an installed capacity of 60 MW. It is a reservoir hydropower scheme.
Which river is the Kulekhani I Hydropower Station on?+
The project is on the Kulekhani River, part of Nepal's Bagmati basin, in Makwanpur district, Bagmati Province.
Who is developing the Kulekhani I Hydropower Station?+
The Kulekhani I Hydropower Station is developed by Nepal Electricity Authority (government (nea)).
What is the status of the Kulekhani I Hydropower Station?+
As of mid-2026 the project is operational.
When was the Kulekhani I Hydropower Station commissioned?+
The Kulekhani I Hydropower Station was commissioned in 1982.
Sources & data note
Figures for Kulekhani I Hydropower Station are compiled from the sources below and cross-checked where possible. Status and projected dates reflect research as of mid-2026 and may change as the project progresses. The map location is an approximate dam-area estimate. Commentary is Amarnepal's own.