Kathmandu, Sep 20, 2024 – The 40 MW Raghughat Hydropower Project, being constructed by Raghu Ganga Hydropower Ltd., a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), is targeted for completion by the end of Ashar (mid-July 2025). This project, being built in Raghu Ganga Rural Municipality of Myagdi District, is being funded by the Government of Nepal, the NEA, and a concessional loan under India’s Export-Import (EXIM) Bank line of credit. As of now, 80% of the project’s construction has been completed.
The 6.2 km tunnel excavation and concrete lining are progressing rapidly. Due to weak geological conditions, the entire tunnel must be fully lined with concrete. So far, 1 km of the main tunnel has been concreted. Out of the 1,050 meters of penstock pipes needed to deliver water to the powerhouse, 130 meters have been installed. The major civil structures of the powerhouse are complete, and the installation of turbines, generators, and other electromechanical equipment is underway. The powerhouse will have two units, each with a capacity of 20 MW.
The civil structures of the dam required to divert the river are completed, and the gates and other equipment for the dam have been transported to the project site, with installation set to begin soon. About 30% of the construction of the desander pond, which will filter sand from the water, is complete. The construction of the headworks, which was delayed due to rainfall, is set to resume.
Kulman Ghising, the Managing Director of NEA and Chairman of Raghu Ganga Hydropower Ltd.’s Board of Directors, inspected the construction site on Thursday and held discussions with the project management, consultants, and contractors involved in the project.
Managing Director Ghising emphasized the need to push forward with an integrated timeline to ensure the project is completed by the end of Ashar, despite the various challenges faced, such as weak and complex geographical conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and earthquakes. He noted that Indian authorities are keenly following the project’s progress and urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure completion within the current fiscal year. “We will provide necessary facilitation to ensure the project is completed within this timeline,” he added.
Ghising also directed the team to finalize the construction schedule within a week, obtain signatures from all parties, and proceed accordingly. He acknowledged that the tunnel lining work is particularly challenging and that additional manpower is needed to accelerate the construction.
The project had faced difficulties obtaining construction materials like stones, gravel, and sand due to restrictions from a Supreme Court interim order, issued by former Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Rana on July 13, 2021, which prohibited activities that could alter the natural flow of the Kaligandaki River due to its religious, historical, and environmental significance. The case is still pending in the Supreme Court.
Ganesh KC, Managing Director of Raghu Ganga Hydropower Ltd., mentioned that the issue of river-based construction materials has been temporarily resolved. He added that if no major problems arise, the project should be completed by the end of Ashar.
The estimated cost of the project is NPR 9.17 billion. The project includes a concessional loan of USD 67 million from the Indian EXIM Bank, while the remaining funds have been invested by the Government of Nepal and the NEA. This is the third hydropower project in Nepal to receive Indian assistance for electricity production, after the Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects.
Initially, the project’s capacity was 32 MW, but after terminating the contract due to poor performance by the contractor, the capacity was increased to 40 MW under a new contract agreement.
The civil and hydromechanical works are being carried out by Jaypee Associates Ltd., India, under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract. The electromechanical works are being handled by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., India, and the construction supervision is being done by WAPCOS Ltd., India.
The project is expected to produce 247.9 million units of electricity annually and will operate with a daily 4-hour peaking capacity.
