Nepal’s first and Asia’s second hydropower project, Farping Hydropower Center, is set to be developed as an energy museum.
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has planned to transform the 500-kilowatt capacity of Farping Hydropower into an energy museum. For this purpose, the NEA has appointed an engineering company as a consultant to develop the center as a tourist destination. The plan includes the restoration of the historic hydropower center and the construction of new structures in the vacant areas.
The southern part of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, where the center is located, will see the construction of facilities like a green park, restaurant, shops, jeep line, picnic spots, library, and children’s playground. The hydropower center’s structures will be restored, and the energy museum will be developed. The estimated cost for the implementation of the project is approximately NPR 1 billion.
The center has a total area of three hundred and twenty-four ropanis (around 40.5 hectares), out of which around 146 ropanis will be utilized for the construction of the tourist facilities like the energy museum, research center, and tourist area.
During the NEA’s 38th annual celebration, Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet was informed about the progress of the development project. Minister Basnet emphasized preserving the historic importance of the hydropower center and making it an informative place for researchers and tourists.
The executive director of the NEA, Kulman Ghising, mentioned that after the consultant’s report, the project will move forward with the construction of the energy museum, research center, and tourist area. The hydropower center, established on Jestha 9, 2025 BS (1968 AD), was inaugurated by the then King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah, and it used to supply electricity to the royal and Rana families. Initially named Chandra Jyoti, it took around four years to complete the construction at a cost of approximately NPR 7.13 million.
The center was in continuous operation until 2038 BS (1981 AD). However, after that, the water supply to the turbine was halted due to the construction of a drinking water supply in various areas of Lalitpur. Despite the challenges, the center’s machinery has been preserved, and it is planned to be re-operated from the fiscal year 2063 BS (2006 AD) after essential refurbishment.
The development of the center into an energy museum will not only add to the social and economic growth of the local community but also serve as an informative tourist destination. Energy Secretary Ghimire mentioned that the center’s restoration has been completed, and the center is ready to be operated from Push 2063 (2017 AD).
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