Construction of Budhigandaki ‘A’ and ‘B’ Hydropower Projects Set to Begin During This Dry Season

Construction of the Budhigandaki ‘A’ and Budhigandaki ‘B’ hydropower projects in Gorkha is all set to begin during the ongoing dry season after prolonged delays, following the completion of key preparatory and approval processes.

According to project engineer Durgesh Magar, Budhigandaki ‘A’ will have an installed capacity of 103.4 megawatts, while Budhigandaki ‘B’ will generate 226 megawatts. Both projects are being promoted by Naulo Nepal Hydroelectric Company Pvt Ltd.

The company plans to build Budhigandaki ‘A’ at an estimated cost of Rs 31.32 billion and Budhigandaki ‘B’ at Rs 56.99 billion, Magar said.

Under the Budhigandaki ‘A’ project, a dam will be constructed at Lusyung in Dharche-3, with water diverted through a four-kilometre tunnel to a powerhouse at Machhakhola. The run-of-the-river project will generate electricity by dropping water from a gross head of 111 metres. Power generated at Machhakhola will be transmitted to Budhigandaki ‘B’ via a 12.7-kilometre transmission line.

The 226-megawatt Budhigandaki ‘B’ project will have its dam at Khanibensi in Dharche-7. Water will be channelled through a 9.5-kilometre tunnel to a powerhouse at Soti, where electricity will be generated from a gross head of 197.97 metres. This project will also follow run-of-the-river technology.

“Both projects have completed their environmental impact assessments and power purchase agreements have been signed,” Magar said. “Although the initial surveys were conducted before the earthquake, final surveys are now under way to incorporate changes resulting from seismic impacts.”

A total of 329.4 megawatts of electricity generated from both projects will be connected to a substation at Lapa in Dhading, located about 18.5 kilometres from the project area. -- RSS