Mugu Karnali Storage Hydroelectric Projectमुगु कर्णाली भण्डारण आयोजना
A proposed 1,902 MW storage (reservoir) project on the Mugu Karnali in the remote far north-west — by capacity the largest single project in Nepal's pipeline. The Ministry of Energy awarded the survey licence to VUCL (an NEA subsidiary) in 2018; the project area spans Mugu, Humla, Bajura and Kalikot.
Installed capacity
1,902 MW
Storage
River / basin
Mugu Karnali
Karnali basin
Location
Mugu
Karnali
Expected online
TBD
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.
- 6 Jul 2018
Survey licence awarded to VUCL
- 2025
Chowdhury Group emerges as competing developer for the reservoir scheme
Location
Approximate dam-area location on OpenStreetMap — precise to the district and river reach, not the exact structure.
Mugu Karnali Storage 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 Mugu Karnali Storage Hydroelectric Project?+
The Mugu Karnali Storage Hydroelectric Project has an installed capacity of 1,902 MW. It is a storage hydropower scheme.
Which river is the Mugu Karnali Storage Hydroelectric Project on?+
The project is on the Mugu Karnali River, part of Nepal's Karnali basin, in Mugu district, Karnali Province.
Who is developing the Mugu Karnali Storage Hydroelectric Project?+
The Mugu Karnali Storage Hydroelectric Project is developed by Vidhyut Utpadan Company Ltd (VUCL, NEA subsidiary) (nea subsidiary), with Chowdhury Group (competing private bid).
What is the status of the Mugu Karnali Storage Hydroelectric Project?+
As of mid-2026 the project is proposed / under development. Survey/DPR stage; one of Nepal's largest proposed reservoir projects
Sources & data note
Figures for Mugu Karnali Storage 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.