Madhya Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project sees 95 percent completion

Kathmandu, March 10: The 102-megawatts-capacity Madhya Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project has neared its completion. Developed by the Chilime Hydropower Company, a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority, the run-of-the-river project is under construction at a speedy pace with the aim of completing it in next four months, said the project officer, adding that so far, 95 percent construction work has been completed. Almost all construction work has been over, while remaining work of building walls and other security related infrastructures remains, it has been said.

Works like concrete lining in the tunnel, and fitting equipment at turbines, generators and control rooms are underway. It may be noted that the project got a delay due to various problems. Started in 2013 with the completion deadline being 2016, it missed multiple completion deadlines in between. The project cost was estimated to be over Rs 12.28 billion excluding interest since the time when there was a loan agreement reached with the Employees’ Provident Fund. It has now increased to Rs 15.3 billion excluding interest of the project’s periodic projected cost. It is expected to produce over 542 million units of electricity annually, generating over Rs 2.8 billion a year.