Sindhupalchowk: The ‘Bhote Koshi Hydropower project’ has started commercial generation after two weeks of long test transmission in the Sindhupalchowk district.
Chief Executive Officer of the project, Mr. Bikram Sthapit said that the project is producing 22-25 MW of electricity. The project is not operating to its full capacity as water level in Bhote Koshi River drops during winter.
The energy generated from the project is connected to the national grid through its transmission line connected to the Sun Koshi Hydropower Project.
The reconstruction of the project, which had been closed for five years due to the 2015 April earthquake and subsequent flood and landslide, was recently completed.
Its powerhouse is located at Jhirpu of Phulpingkatti of Bhotekoshi rural municipality. The Chinese Company Sinohydro Bureau 11 was awarded the project agreement in 2074 BS at the cost of Rs 7 billion.
Manager of Bhote Koshi Power Company Ltd, Mr. Babin Pradhan said that the company had to invest Rs 7 billion to finance reconstruction work. He added-“The additional cost that we had to incur could have built another project. We had to change all the equipment.”
The project was initially estimated to cost Rs 10 billion. The cost has now increased to Rs 17 billion.
The project-based in Tatopani and Phulping Katti of Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality has generated 36 MW of electricity in the first 10 years. Production capacity was increased to 45 MW in 2011.
Source: My Republica
