A single unit of the project with an installed capacity of 111 MW generates 37 MW of electricity.
What you should know
The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, built in Rasuwa under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower, a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority, has become partially operational.
On the morning of July 24, the flood caused by the eruption of a glacier in the Lhende River flowing from Tibet in China caused extensive damage to the dam and other structures (headworks) of the project.
After the repair of the headworks, one of the three units in the power house was temporarily diverted from the river and brought into operation from Saturday. The 111 MW installed capacity project generates 37 MW of electricity from one unit.
The remaining two units are being reconstructed to be operational within a month and the remaining repairs in the headworks area are to be completed before the upcoming rainy season, said Manoj Silwal, Executive Director of the NEA.
Executive Director Silwal mentioned that the project was successfully brought into operation after repairing the damaged structures due to the tireless efforts and hard work of the NEA, Chilime and Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Companies.
‘Once the project starts generating electricity, it will be easier to manage the electricity demand during the winter season,’ he said.
The flood swept away equipment such as trees, weeds, and plants that had been washed away by the water in the headworks area of the project, as well as gates and other equipment. More than two meters of mud had accumulated in the headworks control building. Large stones had fallen on the headworks and the structures built to direct water towards the tunnel had collapsed. In addition, the floor where the turbine was located was completely submerged due to water from the tailrace, which is used to release water into the river after power generation.
On that day, 22 employees working at the hydropower project were rescued from the headworks area and the housing area by an army helicopter. The employee housing area was completely washed away. Due to the flood, not only the project but also the main highway leading from Syafrubensi to the project site was blocked in various places due to landslides.
The project had started generating electricity commercially since 16 Poush 2081. However, after the flood in Ashar caused damage, electricity generation from the project was stopped. Once the project is fully operational, it will generate 613.875 million units of electricity annually. The company will earn an annual income of Rs 3.25 billion from the sale of this electricity.
