After successful testing of the Gharkhola hydropower project constructed by Myagdi Hydropower Pvt Ltd, the electricity produced has been connected to the central transmission line from today. Josep Bajracharya, resident engineer of the project, informed that after all the tests were successful, Gharkhola’s electricity was connected to the national system through Dana substation.

“The testing of all structures and equipment including dams, canals, tunnels, penstocks, turbines, generators, switchyards and transmission lines have been successful”, he said, “commercial production will start after 15 days.” In the presence of the technical team of Nepal Electricity Authority, the project started trial production from July 11th.

Annapurna Rural Municipality-6 has been connected to the 220 KV substation through an eight kilometer long transmission line from the Gharkhola power house in Pokhrebagar. Earlier, 42 megawatts of Mistrikhola and 13 megawatts of Thapakhola were connected to the national transmission line at Dana substation under the corridor transmission line of Kaligandaki.

The test period has been extended after problems were found in the transmission line connecting Gharkhola power house to the substation. Annapurna Rural Municipality-5 Kurilakhark has built a dam and the water of Ghar Khola has been pumped through a 3,500 meter long tunnel from an outlet located in the same rural municipality, 6 Amilakaphal, through a 1,200 meter penstock pipe with a 485 meter head to the power house at Pokhrebgar on the side of the Beni-Jomsom road.

The estimated cost of Rs 241 billion project was started from March 2018. Although the goal is to be completed in the year 2022, the promoter said that the construction period has been extended by two years due to Corona, landslides, road traffic inconvenience etc.

Electrical contractor Simar Energy Pvt Ltd India, hydromechanical contractor CE Hydromechanical Work Pvt Ltd technician installed the equipment in the power house. The civil contractor South Asian Infrastructure has built the physical structure. A switchboard has been built near the power house. NIC Asia, Kumari and Prime Commercial Bank have invested in the project under the leadership of NMB Bank.

The common people of Rupandehi have also invested under the leadership of Citizen Energy Butwal Limited. The promoter has said that the process of calling for founder share investment for the project affected and general public has reached its final stage.