PANCHTHAR, Nov 29: Construction work of Hewa 'A' Hydropower Project (15 MW) has been completed.

According to Pushpa Jyoti Dhungana, chief of the project, 10 MW of hydropower generated by the project will be connected to the central grid within this week.

“The project will be connected to the 33 kVA transmission line now as the 133 kVA Kabeli Corridor Transmission Line is yet to be ready. Power generated by the project will be connected to the central grid through the Kabeli Corridor once the transmission line project is completed,” added Dhungana.

Project officials released water into the project's 3,936-meter tunnel on Monday. 

Dhungana said that the project will start generation after trial run of the powerhouse is completed. The project will be officially inaugurated in mid-December, according to Dhungana.

The project went into the floor in April 2013. 

Dhungana told Republica that the project was delayed a bit due the 2015 earthquakes and the Indian blockade. “The delay escalated the project cost to Rs 2.25 billion from the initially estimated Rs 2.16 billion,” Dhungana said, claiming that the Hewa 'A' project completed comparatively faster than other hydroelectricity projects in the country.

Panchthar Power Company owns 25 percent stake in the company. Similarly, a consortium of banks led by Sanima Bank Ltd has financed 75 percent of the project cost.

 
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