The Dudhkunda Khola Hydropower Project (DKHP) is a 12 MW run-of-river scheme successfully developed in Solududhkunda Municipality, Wards 1 and 2 of Solukhumbhu District, Province No. 1, Nepal. The project utilized the flow of the Dudhkunda Khola along its right bank, passing mainly through forested terrain.
A side intake diverted a design discharge of 4.61 m³/s through a 3 m high diversion weir, built with concrete cut-off walls and boulder protection. Immediately downstream, a surface settling basin was constructed to remove sediments before water was conveyed via a 2,930 m long headrace pipe (1.8 m diameter), followed by a 910 m penstock with diameters ranging from 1.6 m to 0.7 m. The alignment of the penstock was supported by anchor blocks and numerous piers.
On the right bank of the river, a surface powerhouse was established, housing two horizontal Pelton turbines. Power was generated at 6.6 kV, stepped up to 33 kV, and transmitted through an 24 km long line to the Lammane 33/132 kV substation.
With a gross head of 318 m and a net head of 308.43 m, the project now delivers an estimated 70.48 GWh of clean energy annually, significantly contributing to the local and national power supply. The project also involved the construction of about 7 km of access road to connect the headworks and powerhouse, ensuring year-round accessibility.
