KATHMANDU: The Department of Electricity Development ( DoED) has awarded six licences for hydroelectricity projects that would generate altogether 142 megawatt of electricity.

The licences have been provided for a bid amount of Rs 937 million. The government is expected to earn more than Rs 450 million as revenue from the sale of licences. The largest among the awarded was lower Solu hydropower project-40MW in Solukhumbu District. Joint Venture led by Clean Developers Private Limited won the bid at Rs 260 million. Other partners of the venture include Essel Infraprojects India, a group company of Zee Television Network, Rajdhani Investment Fund Limited and Clean Energy Development Bank Limited.

DoED said that government is committed to provide hassle free Power Purchase Agreement, transmission lines and all required approval to the successful bidders. However, threats to the Karnali, Marsyangdi and West Seti Project and ongoing local disturbances in the country are a matter of serious concern.