Power generation from Upper Tamakoshi to resume by December 25

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec.6: Power generation from the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi, the largest of the operational hydropower projects, will resume by December 25 as per the maintenance schedule of the project.

The power generation from the project has been halted since a landslide triggered by the incessant rains on September 27 and 28 caused damage to the structures (headworks) of the dam area of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project located in Lamabagar of Bigu Rural Municipality-1,  Dolakha. 

The landslide damaged the control room, the sand-thickening pond (desander) and the canal (culvert) that conveys water from the dam to the desander.  Of the two desanders, the one on the left side will be fixed by December 25 and power generation will begin, Nepal Electricity Authority said 

The partially damaged old slope of the desander wall will be demolished and repaired before resuming the power generation.  

Similarly, the grouting work of the cracks seen on the walls and ceiling of the culvert will be carried out in parallel, said the NEA.

According to the NEA, the reconstruction process will be carried out immediately by repairing the other desander on the right and designing an underground control room, in place of the existing which is on the surface.

A target has been set to complete this work before the start of the upcoming rainy season. The maintenance of one of the towers of the transmission line of the project that was damaged by the rain has been completed.

A team of NEA including the Managing Director of NEA and Chairman of the board of directors of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited, Kul Man Ghising on Wednesday inspected the project site and received information about the ongoing maintenance work of the hydropower project.

The team, after discussing with the project management, consultants, and contractors, has set a schedule to complete the reconstruction and start electricity production by December 25.

The project can be operated at full capacity for 4 hours during peak hours by storing water during the low electricity-demand time.

As it will be challenging to meet the internal electricity demand and supply if the power plant cannot be operated during winter, the NEA's team has reached out for an on-site assessment to determine the measures to be adopted to bring the power plant into operation as soon as possible.

Ghising urged everyone to be serious and sensitive in maintenance as it will be difficult to supply electricity as per the demand within the country if electricity cannot be generated from Upper Tamakoshi on time. 

 “As we have been allowed to import electricity from India only during the day and night until next March, it is difficult to meet the electricity demand during the evening and morning (peak hours) during winter. We have not been allowed to import even at night in March and April. In such a situation, if Upper Tamakoshi, which can be used for peak hour, does not come into operation, it will be difficult," said Ghising. Chief Executive Officer of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Company Mohan Prasad Gautam said that work was being done to start electricity generation as per the schedule set by adopting all possible measures for timely maintenance of the damaged desanders, culvert and control room.