KATHMANDU, April 7: Capacity upgradation work of Andhikhola Hydropower Project has been completed and the power plant has restarted its commercial operations from Sunday.
The 5.1 MW project owned by Butwal Power Company (BPC) now has the capacity to generate 9.4 MW after replacing old equipment and machinery. It has also carried out some expansion work and renovation at the project built in early 1990s.
The company, a statement issued on Monday, said upgradation of the project cost about Rs 60 million.
With the frequent disturbances in power generation, the company had decided two years ago to upgrade the project. It says the underground power-house has been extended by eight meters, a penstock pipe of 250 has been added and the size of the tail race has been extended. The company has also brought in the latest technology — a dam structure made of rubber.
Mega Bank Nepal and International Finance Corporation — a private sector arm of the World Bank Group, had financed the company for the purpose.
The project’s annual energy production is 70.73 Gigawatt Hours with three turbines. BPC further says that the project’s water also helps in irrigation of 560 hectares of land in Palpa and Syangja districts.
