Upper Tamor

Summary

Upper Tamor is a 285 MW under-construction Tamor River hydropower project in eastern Nepal and one of the larger private/IPP projects in the current pipeline.

Upper Tamor is a 285 MW hydropower project under construction on the Tamor River in eastern Nepal — one of the largest private/IPP projects in the under-construction pipeline.

Tamor Basin Significance

The Tamor River is a major tributary of the Koshi system, draining the eastern Himalayan slopes of the Kanchenjunga massif. Unlike the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli corridors closer to Kathmandu, the Tamor basin has historically seen less hydropower development due to its distance from load centers and transmission constraints. Upper Tamor, at 285 MW, represents a step-change in eastern Nepal's generation capacity.

Development Context

The Tamor River system has attracted attention for both run-of-river and storage development potential. Upper Tamor sits alongside Tamor Storage (200 MW, survey stage) in the project pipeline. Together, these projects would fundamentally reshape the eastern grid — but also require significant transmission investment to evacuate power from the Tamor valley to the national backbone.

Financing Challenge

At 285 MW, Upper Tamor's capital requirements place it in the top tier of Nepali private hydro projects. The project's financial viability will depend on achieving competitive build costs, managing construction risk in a relatively remote location, and securing transmission evacuation — all within the standard NPR 4.80/8.40 PPA framework.

Specifications

Limitations & Controversies

The page frames Upper Tamor's scale, basin position, and financing challenge, but does not verify current construction progress, final COD, project cost, dry-season energy share, or transmission evacuation readiness.

See Also

• Run-of-River Hydropower
• Buildability

Sources

• MoEWRI IPSDP Executive Summary