Kathmandu: Work is progressing rapidly on the 48.8 MW Khimti-2 Hydropower Project, which is under construction on the Khimti River, flowing along the border of Dolakha and Ramechhap districts. Concrete work is currently underway on the anchor blocks of the pressure tunnel in the project.
This project, promoted by Peoples Energy Limited, is approaching the final phase of construction. Sources have reported that the physical progress of the project has surpassed 70 percent and work is moving forward smoothly under normal conditions.
Rapid progress in main structures
Concrete work is currently underway on the anchor blocks of the pressure tunnel at the Khimti-2 project, and other major construction activities are continuing simultaneously. According to sources, the project’s:
- Underground structures such as the headworks, tunnels, vertical shaft, and penstock are making progress.
- Civil structures of the main waterways and powerhouse are advancing rapidly. This indicates that even the most complex and time-consuming parts of the project are moving forward.
The Khimti-2 project has a gross head of approximately 353 meters. It is a run-of-river hydropower project, being constructed with the aim of supplying electricity to the national grid. The main structures of the project include the headworks with weir and side intake, a headrace tunnel (HRT) about 6,300 meters long, the powerhouse, and, at the end, the tailrace canal, along with a total of three turbine units and the associated power generation system.
Economic and social aspects
In this project, which involves private sector investment, other commercial banks have coordinated loans under the leadership of Sanima Bank Limited. Once operational, the project is expected to generate approximately 26 million units of electricity annually, which is anticipated to help strengthen local energy supply.
It is also expected to have a positive impact on local employment and the economy. According to previous sources, hundreds of workers are engaged daily in the project area, and work is being carried out in coordination with local authorities.
The electricity produced is planned to be transmitted via a 132 kV transmission line to Garjang–Khimti and then connected to the national grid. The project has also outlined plans to commence commercial production in the future according to schedule.
Jalasarokar