Tanahun – The work on the under-construction 140-megawatt Tanahun Hydropower Project in Tanahun has been accelerated. Construction work under all three packages of the project, which is being built in Rishing Rural Municipality-1, has been intensified.
Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari informed that work is underway on the dam and related structures (headworks) under Package 1, the main tunnel, powerhouse, and associated equipment under Package 2, and the 220 kV Damauli–Bharatpur transmission line under Package 3.
Under Package 1, construction of the dam and related structures is being carried out by the Songda–Kalika JV. Bhandari stated that this package has achieved 47 percent progress. For the construction of the main dam, works such as hill cutting, access roads, a temporary dam required to divert the flow of the Seti River, and the construction of two diversion tunnels have been completed.
For the construction of the main dam, the Seti River was diverted on November 6, 2023 . It has been reported that by May 2024, construction of temporary dams on the upstream and downstream sides of the main dam was completed.
With the completion of these works, the necessary infrastructure to begin concreting and related grouting for the main dam has been prepared, according to Bhandari. “For the construction of the 140-meter-high dam of the project, the first concrete was poured on March 20, 2025, marking the start of concreting work,” he said, adding that concreting, core drilling, grouting, and other related works on the main dam are currently ongoing.
Under Package 2, the construction of the powerhouse and related equipment is being carried out by China’s Sinohydro Corporation. Bhandari said that excavation work for underground structures has been completed so far, and most of the civil construction of these structures has also been finished. The main concreting works of structures such as the powerhouse, cable tunnel, surge tank, and tailrace have been completed, and progress under this package has reached 72.5 percent.
According to Bhandari, the civil works of the powerhouse are nearly complete, while electromechanical works are ongoing. Roofing of the powerhouse, water discharge arrangements, and other related works are currently underway.
Under Package 3 of the transmission line, India’s KEC International Limited has completed foundation works for 78 out of the 94 towers along the 33-kilometer-long 220 kV Damauli–Bharatpur transmission line. Progress under this package has reached 74.5 percent. In addition, Bhandari said that necessary coordination is underway with the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Finance to obtain permission for the use of forest land and the removal of trees and vegetation in those areas.
Under Package 3 of the transmission line, India’s KEC International Limited has completed the foundation work for 78 out of 94 towers along the 33-kilometer 220 kV Damauli–Bharatpur transmission line. Progress of this package has reached 74.5 percent. In addition, Bhandari stated that necessary steps are being taken with the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Finance to obtain permission for the use of forest land and the removal of trees and vegetation in the area.
The company’s capital structure and financial management for the total project cost (including the transmission line, rural electrification, and construction-period interest) of USD 50.5 million have been arranged as follows: the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide USD 15 million, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) USD 18.4 million, the European Investment Bank USD 8.5 million, and the Government of Nepal/Nepal Electricity Authority USD 8.6 million.
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