Final phase works on the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project are moving in full swing.
Minor civil and mechanical works of dams, tunnels, transmission lines, substations and other structures are moving being carried out.
The final phase of the penstock pipe connection between the upper vertical shaft and the lower vertical shaft is being carried out at present.
Lot 2 hydromechanical contractor company has committed to complete the welding and painting work at the joint of the pipe within April 19, 2021.
At present only some of the gates on the hydromechanical side and some concreting work related to penstock pipes are left.
With the completion of the remaining minor work, the project has planned to conduct technical testing of sensitive structures such as penstocks, main tunnels, surge shafts, surge tunnels, penstock pipes and gates, manholes and valves from mid-April this year.
The technical testing of hydromechanical equipment such as dams, intakes and civil structures, including gates, has been successfully completed.
Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Chairman of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited Hitendra Dev Shakya inspected the construction site on Monday and Tuesday and discussed with the project officials, consultants and all the three contractors about the schedule for filling the tunnel.
The remaining works will be completed by April 23 and a small amount of water will be sent to the tunnel from April 24 to fill the main tunnel and penstock pipes.
Accordingly, after successful completion of water testing in civil and hydromechanical structures, the water collected in the main tunnel and penstock will be used for testing and commissioning of six turbines and generators connected to the underground power house, Shakya said.
He said that the first unit will start generating electricity by mid-May this year.
“We have brought the project, which has been facing various problems such as earthquakes, floods and landslides, to the point where it can start generating electricity through continuous efforts. The remaining work should be done in parallel to generate electricity ahead of schedule,” he said. “The entire construction should be completed within the current fiscal year and 456 MW of electricity should be generated.”
The project has six units of 76 MW each. After generating electricity from the first unit, electricity will be generated from the remaining units gradually, Shakya said. According to Bigyan Prasad Shrestha, Chief Executive Officer of the project, the construction of the project has been delayed due to the earthquake.
“The country’s largest project, currently being built with domestic investment, has been hit by a major natural disaster and the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has reached the stage of power generation. It is a matter of happiness for all,” he said.
Source : THE RISING NEPAL
