KATHMANDU, APRIL 12

NIBL Equity Partners (NIBLEP), a Specialized Investment Fund (SIF) registered with the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON) and managed by NIMB Ace Capital Ltd., has invested Rs 150 million in Gurkhas Himalayan Hydro Limited to support the development of the 5.875 MW Upper Junbesi Khola Hydropower Project in Solukhumbu.

The equity investment agreement was signed on March 19, according to the company.

The project, located in Solududhkunda Municipality, is a peaking run-of-river scheme designed to generate electricity during high-demand hours. It is expected to produce around 35.43 GWh of electricity annually, with about one-third of output generated during the dry season.

The developer has already signed a power purchase agreement with the Nepal Electricity Authority to sell the full electricity output. The generated power will be transmitted through a 33 kV line to the Tingla substation.

Around 75 percent of construction has been completed as of January 2026, and the project is targeted for commercial operation by August 2027.

Shivanth B Pandé, CEO of NIBL Equity Partners, said, "This investment marks a significant portfolio addition for us here at NIBL EP and reaffirms our strategic focus on small-scale hydropower and clean energy investments that contribute to local long-term energy security and economic development."

NIBLEP said the investment aligns with its focus on small-scale hydropower and clean energy, while Gurkhas Himalayan Hydro stated that the partnership would help expedite project completion.

"We believe this collaboration will enhance reliable power supply to remote areas while contributing to Nepal's long-term vision of a sustainable and clean energy transition," said Santosh Bhattarai, the managing director of Gurkhas Himalayan Hydro Limited.