Gham Power – Powering steel manufacturing with a 1.3 MW solar (Nepal)
Description
- Type of system: 3 MW commercial and industrial rooftop solar PV system
- Location of project: Ramgram, Parasi, Nepal
- Completion date: 4th July, 2025
Company description
Gham Power, established in 2010, is a solar company driving Nepal’s transition toward a sustainable future. From powering industries and rural communities to digitalising agriculture, we combine solar technology with smart data systems to strengthen climate resilience and economic growth across Nepal.
The Challenge
Goyal Ispat, a leading metal factory in Nepal, operated on a 33kV NEA grid connection and a 500 kVA diesel generator backup, along with eight transformers of varying capacities. This electricity setup led to high electricity costs, frequent voltage fluctuations and power quality issues, making it difficult to maintain smooth, efficient and cost-effective factory operations. The industrial-scale nature of the factory’s energy demand required a large and robust solution capable of addressing both reliability and cost challenges at scale.
Renewable Solution
The company heavily relied on diesel generators as a backup to ensure the smooth operation of its industrial work. However, this not only harmed the environment but also affected the health and well-being of the employees. To address this issue, they took a major step by installing solar panels as an alternative energy source to ensure a more reliable and sustainable power supply. Additionally, solar installation proved to be more cost-effective than diesel, helping reduce overall operational costs while ensuring a consistent flow of electricity.
Project Financing and Costs
The project was made possible through financial support by KfW, Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and DKTI.
Project Outcome
The 1.3 MW solar system is operational and delivering measurable operational and environmental benefits for Goyal Ispat. The factory has reduced its grid dependency, improved power quality and voltage stability, significantly cutting diesel generator reliance. In the first year alone, the factory is projected to save 2–3% on its electricity bills. But the bigger impact lies in its long-term environmental benefits. Over the next 25 years, the solar system will help replace 452 kiloliters of diesel and cut 2,970 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Next Steps
Goyal Ispat’s successful transition to solar energy signals a pathway for other heavy industries in Nepal to adopt clean energy at scale. Gham Power is building on the lessons from this landmark project to encourage further large-scale industrial solar adoption across Nepal’s manufacturing sector.
Website: https://ghampower.com/