Feasibility study begins to produce extra power

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    DOLAKHA, MAY 03 –

    TamakoshiWith an aim to supplement power supply in the dry season, a feasibility study has been initiated for generating additional electricity by increasing the capacity of the under-construction 456MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectricity Project.

    It has been planned to produce an additional 170 million units of electricity by diverting the water from the Rolwaling River to the project, whose 60 percent construction work has already been completed.

    To divert the river water, a 6-km diversion tunnel has to be built.

    The project had a month ago called for expression of interest (EoI) for preparing tender documents and engineering design of the diversion.

    Until Wednesday, the last day for the EoI submission, 13 consulting firms have submitted proposals, according to Project Chief Vigyan Prasad Shrestha.

    Shrestha said they would shortlist companies after assessing their documents, following which the project will call for financial and technical proposals.

    Bimal Gurung, assistant manager of the project, said they would start the design work three months time after appointing a consultant. The project has targeted to complete the design in the next 10 months.

    Gurung said the project, in the meantime, also plans to identify financers for the diversion tunnel.

    The extra water collected for the project is also expected to supplement the proposed Upper Tamakoshi ‘A’ Project as it will receive additional water.

    Tamakoshi Hydropower Company has already applied at the Department of Electricity Development for surveyor license for the Upper Tamakoshi ‘A’ Project which will have a capacity of 90 MW.

    Meanwhile, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has initiated the process for developing the proposed 87MW Tamakoshi V Hydroelectricity Project.

    Tamakoshi V, which will not need any dam and entry route, is estimated to be built at low costs and less time compared to similar other projects.

    According to NEA, they would soon start detailed design and contractor selection process after completing the feasibility study.

    The Upper Tamakoshi, Upper Tamakoshi ‘A’ and Tamakoshi V will produce a combined 633MW electricity.

    Source : The Kathmandu Post