Third biggest hydel project in shambles

The third biggest hydropower project of the country at Panauti in Kavre is in a dilapidated condition. All because Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has not paid any attention to repairing it. The project was begun in 2017 BS and started generating electricity in 2022 BS. It is the third largest after the Pharping and Sundarijal hydropower projects. The equipment of the Panauti hydropower centre which produced 2400 kw of electricity per hour is worn out but NEA has showed no concern for repairs and now the centre is producing only 975 kw. Although production began declining since 10 years, NEA remained deaf to repeated reminders to get it repaired, said an employee at the hydropower centre. The breakers conked out 10 years ago and the second unit went out of order three years ago but no repirs were carried out, said chief of the centre Shyam Lal Suwal. Although one unit alone could generate 800 kw, it now produces only 450 kw while another produces 525 kw. There is no dearth of water, but the machines are dilapidated. The centre has demanded Rs 30 million this year and hopes to get it in the next budget. Meanwhile, some 200 families in six remote VDCs of Ilam district have been provided with electricity facility and also technical education after the establishment of micro hydro projects. With financial support from the Namsaling Community Development Centre (NCDC) and at the initiative of locals, micro hydro projects — Pyang VDC (seven kw), Sakafara (three kw), Jeetpur (three kw), Jogmai (three kw) and Imada-6 (two kw) have been established at a cost of Rs 2 lakh, said the centre's sub-engineer Dhanendra Bhandari. The users got 40 per cent as grant from the Alternate Energy Centre. Sources said that the micro hydro projects in these VDCs were essential as there was no possibility of electrification through the central grid. After the establishment of these projects, a rice mill has been set up. People have also got the opportunity to use computers for technical education and communication. The locals are also able to engage in income-generating work.
Source: THT