MYAGDI: Construction has started on a hydropower project that will generate electricity from the Kaligandaki River flowing through Annapurna Rural Municipality in Myagdi. This is the first project to be developed on the Kaligandaki River.
Hydro Support Company has commenced work on the 66.3 MW Madhya (Mid) Kaligandaki Hydropower Project. Civil contractor Rasuwa-Multi JV began excavating a 4,319-meter-long tunnel using explosives in Annapurna Rural Municipality-2, Nagadhanga, last week, according to Chandra Dhakal, operator of Hydro Support.
The tunnel excavation will cover a distance of 459 meters. Preparations are underway to start digging from the dam side within this month, while excavation from the outlet side is planned for winter.
The project aims to generate electricity by channeling water from a 12-meter-high, 35-meter-long dam located in Annapurna Rural Municipality-3, Sukebagar, dropping it 151 meters into an underground powerhouse to be constructed in Annapurna Rural Municipality-2, Naunibagar.
The powerhouse, switchyard, and control room of this run-of-river project will be situated underground. Phanindra Raj Pandey, CEO of Rasuwa-Multi JV, said they have imported state-of-the-art Boomer Robotic Shortcut Kit and other modern equipment for tunnel construction.
Electricity generated from the Madhya Kaligandaki project (Mid-Kaligandaki Project) will be connected to the national grid via a 220 kV substation located in Dana, seven kilometers above Naunibagar. Dhakal stated that the project is targeted for completion within three years.
Estimated to cost Rs 12.93 billion, the project will be funded 75 percent by six commercial banks led by Nabil Bank Limited, with the remaining 25 percent raised by promoters and shareholders.
Under the power purchase agreement signed with the Nepal Electricity Authority, the electricity purchase rate is fixed at Rs 8.40 per unit during winter and Rs 4.80 per unit during the rainy season.
The project is expected to generate revenue of Rs 1.09 billion from 130 GWh in winter and Rs 1.33 billion from 277 GWh during the monsoon.
In the Kaligandaki River basin, three hydropower projects with a combined capacity exceeding 300 MW have received construction permits, including the Madhya Kaligandaki project.
The 65 MW Upper Kaligandaki and 180 MW Kaligandaki Gorge projects are also preparing for construction, said Bharat Kumar Pun, chairman of Annapurna Rural Municipality.
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