The electricity generated from Rele Khola Hydropower Project with the capacity of 6 MW constructed in Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, Narchyang, Myagdi, has been connected to the national transmission line.

The electricity generated from the project has been connected to the transmission line through the Dana Sub-station constructed in Annapurna Rural Municipality-3 of the Dana-Khurkot transmission line since Saturday.

A joint team of technicians from the Nepal Electricity Authority, Department of Electricity Development, consultants, promoters and contractors have started electricity production after conducting the final testing of the equipment installed in the power house, said Project Director Darshanik Kafle.

"The generated electricity has been connected to the national grid through the Dana Sub-Station. We will start commercial production after the successful test production for 15 days," he said.

The electricity production has started after completing the construction of the physical structure of the project, which is promoted by HYM Consult Pvt. Ltd.

Sakura Power Construction, civil contractor, has constructed a dam at Kalokhola, two 50-50-metre-long water retention ponds at Khopra Lake, a power house at Relekherka, and a 3,600-metre-long pipeline from the dam to the power house.

The project has constructed a five-kilometre transmission line with a capacity of 33 kV connecting the Relekharka electricity switchyard and Dana substation.

Project Director Kafle said that a pipeline has been installed as an alternative to tunnels and canals.

The structures have been constructed and equipment has been installed to generate electricity by dropping water from a height of 510 metres to the power house.

The project, which began construction in 2079 BS with a target of completing it in two years, has been delayed by a year due to damage to the dam and intake built at Kalokhola by the flood that occurred on May 28, 2024.

Himalayan and Rastriya Banijya Bank have provided loans for the project, which is estimated to cost Rs. 1.35 billion.

This project has constructed a 13-kilometre access road from Beshigaun in Narchyang to Lekgaun to the dam and power house construction site.

By Thakur Prasad Acharya