The Middle Marshyangdi Hydropower Station has reported a sharp decline of 50 per cent in electricity generation after the Marshyandi River flow shrank over the course of winter.

The station with an installed capacity of 70 megawatts produces the optimum level of electricity during monsoon. However, as of now, the station has only been able to dispatch 31 megawatts a day.

According to Station Chief Pashupati Raj Gautam, out of the two turbines, only one with a capacity of 35 megawatts is brought into operation for 7 hours to reserve water.

Compared to previous years, the river flow receded earlier this year and that might lead to further reduction in power output in the upcoming days, Gautam added.

As per station statistics, last year the output was recorded at an average of 27 megawatts per day.

However, the station operating under peaking run-of-the-river technique has managed to generate power in full capacity to meet peak hour demands during morning and evening hours by reserving water.