KATHMANDU: All three units of the Kulekhani Hydropower Project in Makawanpur have been operated at full capacity to prevent the water level in the project’s reservoir from rising further. With continuous rainfall raising the possibility of an increase in the reservoir level and associated risks, the project is maximizing water use by generating electricity at full capacity.
According to Prahlad Raut, chief of the Kulekhani-I Hydropower Station, power generation has been increased to prevent the reservoir level from rising, as the Meteorological Forecasting Division has forecast heavy rainfall and the rain has continued.
Raut said the water level in the Kulekhani reservoir currently stands at 1,522.75 meters. He said the reservoir level has not risen significantly because all three units are operating at full capacity.
The Kulekhani project has a total generation capacity of 106 MW. At present, the first, second and third units are generating 60 MW, 32 MW and 14 MW, respectively, for a combined output of 106 MW.
According to Raut, a siren system has been put in place to alert the public to take necessary precautions against potential risks once the reservoir’s water level reaches 1,527 meters.
As continuous rainfall could cause the reservoir level to rise, the project said it is operating at full generation capacity and making maximum use of the available water to minimize potential risks.
Jalasarokar
