The Upper Marsyangdi A Hydropower Project has started generating 25 MW electricity in Bhulbhule of Lamjung from today.

The power produced has been connected to the132 KVA national transmission line through Bhulbhule-Marsyangdi single circuit. Of the two 25 MW turbines, unit one of the project has started generating power, said the project’s Public Relations Officer Karna Adhikari.

An ariel view of the dam site of the Upper Marsyandi A hydel project, in Lamjung, as captured on Sunday, September 25, 2016. Photo: THT

Nepal Electricity Authority has stated that with the supply of additional electricity from the hydel, load shedding hours during the festival season could be reduced.

According to Adhikari, unit two of the project will also start generating power after three months as per the agreement with the NEA. “Unit two will start generating power from the last week of December. We have successfully tested the project’s turbine, tunnel, and dam,” said Adhikari.

The project had transmitted power along the Bhulbhule-Mid Marsyangdi 20 KV transmission line as a test last week, informed chief engineer of the project Ganesh KC.

After the NEA didn’t take any initiative to install the 20 KV transmission line, the project had finally decided to install the line at a cost of Rs 300 million. The project will start generating power for commercial purposes from September 26.

Minister for Energy Janardan Sharma is scheduled to inaugurate the project by turning on a switch at Kathmandu-based Hyatt Hotel tomorrow.

China’s multi-national Syno Hydropower Company owns 90 per cent and Nepal’s Sagarmatha Power Company owns 10 per cent of the project.

Though Rs 12 billion was the initial estimated budget, the total cost upon completion of the project stood at Rs 16 billion.

[September 25, 2016 / thehimalayantimes.com]