Nepal’s Rahughat Hydropower project achieves 80pc completion, set to power by 2025

KATHMANDU: The construction of the 40 MW Rahughat Hydropower Project, being developed by Nepal Electricity Authority’s (NEA) subsidiary, Raghuganga Hydropower Ltd., is 80% complete. The project, located in Raghuganga Rural Municipality of Myagdi district, is being funded by the Government of Nepal, NEA, and concessional loans from the Indian EXIM Bank under a Line of Credit. The project is targeted for completion by mid-July 2025.

Significant progress has been made on the project, with 6.2 kilometers of the main tunnel dug and concrete lining work underway. Due to the complex geological conditions, the entire tunnel needs to be fully concreted, and as of now, one kilometer of the tunnel lining has been completed.

Out of the 1,050 meters of penstock pipes needed to transport water from the tunnel to the powerhouse, 130 meters have been installed. The construction of key civil structures for the powerhouse is also complete, and the installation of turbines, generators, and other electromechanical equipment is in progress. The plant will feature two units with a capacity of 20 MW each.

The civil structure of the dam, which is necessary to divert the river’s flow, has been completed, and the gates and other equipment have already been transported to the site. Installation of the gates is set to begin soon. Meanwhile, around 30% of the sand settling basin (desander) construction has been completed. After delays caused by the monsoon, headworks construction is now set to resume.

Kulman Ghising, NEA’s Managing Director and Chairman of Raghuganga Hydropower Ltd., visited the project site on Thursday and held discussions with project management, consultants, and contractors. Ghising emphasized the need to accelerate construction, ensuring the project is completed by the end of the fiscal year, despite the various challenges it has faced.

“The project has encountered multiple issues, including difficult geography, the COVID-19 pandemic, and earthquakes, but we have made continuous efforts to reach this near-completion stage. Indian authorities have expressed ongoing interest in the project’s progress, and all parties must make their final efforts to complete the project by this fiscal year. NEA will provide the necessary facilitation,” said Ghising.

The initial plan had been to produce 32 MW of electricity, but after facing delays due to poor contractor performance, the project’s capacity was upgraded to 40 MW. The civil and hydromechanical works are being carried out by Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. of India, while Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) is responsible for the electromechanical installations. WAPCOS Ltd., an Indian company, is overseeing construction supervision.

The Rahughat project is expected to generate 247.9 million units of electricity annually, with daily peak output for 4 hours. The estimated total cost of the project is NPR 9.17 billion, with the Indian EXIM Bank providing a soft loan of USD 67 million. The remaining investment comes from the Government of Nepal and NEA.

Rahughat marks the third hydropower project to receive Indian assistance in electricity generation after the Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects.

With the temporary resolution of an issue regarding the supply of construction materials, especially riverbed materials like sand and gravel, Raghuganga Hydropower Ltd.’s Managing Director, Ganesh KC, is optimistic about meeting the completion target.