Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya Hydroelectric Projectमाथिल्लो चमेलिया
A 40 MW run-of-river plant on the Chameliya River in Marma and Api Himal rural municipalities, Darchula, in the far west — distinct from NEA's 30 MW Chameliya plant downstream. Developed by Api Power Company Ltd, it uses a 215 m gross head and is designed to generate about 264 GWh a year.
Installed capacity
40 MW
Run-of-river
River / basin
Chameliya
Mahakali basin
Location
Darchula
Sudurpashchim
Commissioned
2023
Operational
Milestones to commissioning
The route from construction to commercial operation.
- Jul 2023
Testing phase began
- 13 Aug 2023
Commercial operation began
Location
Approximate dam-area location on OpenStreetMap — precise to the district and river reach, not the exact structure.
Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya 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 Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya Hydroelectric Project?+
The Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya Hydroelectric Project has an installed capacity of 40 MW. It is a run-of-river hydropower scheme.
Which river is the Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya Hydroelectric Project on?+
The project is on the Chameliya River, part of Nepal's Mahakali basin, in Darchula district, Sudurpashchim Province.
Who is developing the Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya Hydroelectric Project?+
The Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya Hydroelectric Project is developed by Api Power Company Ltd (private (ipp)).
What is the status of the Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya Hydroelectric Project?+
As of mid-2026 the project is operational.
When was the Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya Hydroelectric Project commissioned?+
The Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya Hydroelectric Project was commissioned in 2023.
Sources & data note
Figures for Upper (Mathillo) Chameliya 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.