Phukot Karnali Hydroelectric Projectफुकोट कर्णाली जलविद्युत आयोजना
A 480 MW project on the Karnali River in Kalikot, to be developed by Nepal's VUCL jointly with India's NHPC under a 2023 MoU. Detailed feasibility is complete, EIA is in its final stage and land has been acquired, but in 2025 Nepal's Supreme Court ordered the government to revise the deal to increase Nepal's free-electricity share, and construction has not started.
Installed capacity
480 MW
Peaking run-of-river
River / basin
Karnali
Karnali basin
Location
Kalikot
Karnali
Expected online
2032
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.
- 2023
MoU signed between VUCL and NHPC (India)
- 2025
Supreme Court orders revision to raise Nepal's free-energy share
- 2032Planned
Possible commissioning if developed
Location
Approximate dam-area location on OpenStreetMap — precise to the district and river reach, not the exact structure.
Sources & data note
Figures for Phukot Karnali 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.