Lower Arun Hydroelectric Projectतल्लो अरुण जलविद्युत आयोजना
A 669 MW run-of-river project on the Arun River in Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur, designed as a downstream cascade of SJVN's 900 MW Arun-3, using its tailrace discharge. Developed by India's SJVN on a BOOT basis; Investment Board Nepal authorised construction and issued the generation licence in August 2025, and a major civil package was awarded in 2026 — placing it at the pre-construction/early-works stage.
Installed capacity
669 MW
Run-of-river
River / basin
Arun
Koshi basin
Location
Sankhuwasabha / Bhojpur
Koshi
Expected online
2031
Proposed / under development
Milestones & projected timeline
Key dates so far, with planned milestones marked. Future dates are targets from the developer or government and frequently shift.
- 2022
MoU with SJVN; supplementary EIA work
- 2023
Nepal approves SJVN investment proposal
- 2025
IBN authorises construction / issues generation licence
- 2026Planned
Civil works package awarded
- 2031Planned
Targeted commissioning (~54-month build)
Location
Approximate dam-area location on OpenStreetMap — precise to the district and river reach, not the exact structure.
Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project: key facts
Quick answers on capacity, river, developer, status and commissioning, drawn from the sourced data above.
What is the capacity of the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project?+
The Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project has an installed capacity of 669 MW. It is a run-of-river hydropower scheme.
Which river is the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project on?+
The project is on the Arun River, part of Nepal's Koshi basin, in Sankhuwasabha / Bhojpur district, Koshi Province.
Who is developing the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project?+
The Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project is developed by SJVN Limited (India) (foreign-funded), with SJVN Limited (India); IBN-issued generation licence.
What is the status of the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project?+
As of mid-2026 the project is proposed / under development. BOOT; IBN authorised construction / licence issued Aug 2025; civil package awarded 2026; pre-construction stage
When is the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project expected to be commissioned?+
The Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project is expected to be commissioned around 2031, though dates for projects under development frequently shift.
Sources & data note
Figures for Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project 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.