Kathmandu, January 10

Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae inaugurated the upgraded Thame Khola Hydropower plant in Namche VDC of Solumkhumbu district on Sunday.

The work on capacity building of the plant from 630 KW to 930 KW was undertaken with India’s assistance of Rs 44 million.

The plant that supplies power to the upper Khumbu Valley in Solukhumbu district is situated within the Sagarmatha National Park in the Mt Everest region.

The plant supplies electricity to 18 villages of Khumjung and Namche VDC of Khumbu Valley in the district and is operated by the Khumbu Bijuli Company, according to a release issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

The project seeks to mitigate Nepal’s energy shortage by adding 300 KW to the plant.

The upgradation work started in May, 2013 and was completed in September 2015.

After the upgradation, 5,000 people residing in the region have received continuous supply of electricity and it is expected that the power supply will improve the economic and financial conditions of the local community in the district, read the press release.