KATHMANDU, Jan 20: After a prolonged shutdown of 115 days due to landslides, the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project is now ready to operate at its full capacity of 456 MW. The project, which had been suspended since 28 September, has undergone necessary repairs and is now poised to generate electricity during peak demand periods.
The project was partially recommissioned on 24 December under the run-of-river (ROR) model after an 88-day delay. Following additional repairs, including the grouting of damaged civil structures, it is now prepared to resume peak operations. The project can store water, which will be utilized to meet the high electricity demand during peak hours, offering a much-needed boost to the country’s power supply.
Delay in Upper Tamakoshi causes huge financial loss
However, despite the project’s readiness the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) continues to face challenges in meeting the national electricity demand. The country’s peak demand currently stands at around 1,900 MW, while the total generation capacity during peak hours is only about 1,350 MW—600 MW from private sector projects, 500 MW from NEA-run plants, and 250 MW from its subsidiary companies. With India turning its back during peak hours, the NEA has been forced to impose load shedding in the industrial sector, which has been experiencing significant power shortages.
The Upper Tamakoshi plant’s ability to operate at full capacity during peak hours is expected to alleviate some of the pressure, but it will not be enough to completely eliminate load shedding in the industrial sector. The NEA is focusing on ensuring that the project generates power primarily during peak demand periods to maximize its impact.
In addition to the operational challenges, the Tamakoshi Hydropower Project also faced issues with its sand settling pond (desander), which is crucial for maintaining the plant’s efficiency. While one desander has been repaired, the second one, which suffered more extensive damage, is still awaiting repairs. The repair work for the second desander is set to begin in February, with completion expected by June. This repair is particularly necessary for the upcoming rainy season when sediment levels in the water increase, requiring the full operation of both desanders.
