Lower Solukhola hydro project nears completion

Solukhumbu, Feb 6: Construction of the Lower Solukhola Hydropower project has neared completion. The hydropower project of 82 megawatt capacity achieved 95 percent physical progress till date.    
    
It is being built at Tingla in the district.    
     
The construction of power house, tunnel way and installation of turbine and generator, among others have been over in the project promoted by Lower Solu Hydropower Company. Company manager Dharmendra Gotame said the breakthrough of penstock tunnel would be made in near future.    
    
"We are planning to launch the commercial production of hydropower coming July," he shared.    
    
Even the transmission line has seen 80 percent progress. The project was launched since September 2016 with the investment of Rs 16 billion provided as loan by the European Bank (International Funding Agency) including FMO. The project's completion has been aimed before September 2025.    
    
It is a reservoir-based project. The reservoir has been set up at Salme area of Solukhumbu. The water is supplied through a tunnel way to the powerhouse set up at Bhadaure of Tingla, located some 6-km away from Salme.    
    
The estimated cost of the project would increase because of geographical difficulty and a long tunnel way.    
    
There are total 700 workers in the project. Even the locals have got jobs.    
    
With the completion of the project, the national transmission line would receive 23MW power in winter, while 82WM power in rainy season.   (RSS)