NMB Bank Commits NPR 1.24 Billion Loan to 9 MW Khimti-Ghawang Hydropower Project

NMB Bank has signed a loan agreement worth NPR 1.24 billion to finance the 9 MW Khimti-Ghawang Small Hydropower Project, which is being developed by Wonders Energy Pvt. Ltd. The agreement was signed on July 28, 2026 (Shrawan 12, 2083) by Dinesh Dulal, Head of Sustainable Energy Banking at NMB Bank, and Prakash Chandra Dulal, Managing Director of Wonders Energy. The project has an estimated investment of NPR 1.80 billion, with NPR 1.24 billion being financed through bank lending and the remaining NPR 560 million through equity. According to the company, NPR 350 million in equity has already been secured, while the remaining amount is expected to be raised by mid-October. The hydropower project is under construction on the Khimti-Ghawang River, which borders Jiri Municipality in Dolakha and Gokulganga Rural Municipality in Ramechhap. Around 30% of the physical construction has already been completed. The developer said the project, located within the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, will be Nepal’s first hydropower project to apply the Hydro-Select Tools framework, ensuring compliance with international environmental and social standards. Government approvals for land acquisition and tree felling have already been obtained, while access roads, warehouses, staff quarters, and land acquisition works have been completed. Civil, hydro-mechanical, and electro-mechanical construction contracts are currently underway, with commercial electricity generation targeted by March 2028.