Nepal's 40MW Rahughat Hydropower Project Connected to Grid, Two 20MW Units Begin Trial Power Generation

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 25, Nepal's 40MW Rahughat Hydropower Project was connected to the national grid. The project's two 20MW units have started generating power and are transmitting electricity to the Nepal Electricity Authority's national power system through the Kaligandaki Corridor 220kV transmission line. The project is located in Raghuganga Rural Municipality, Myagdi District, and is developed by Raghuganga Hydropower Limited, a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). Under the power purchase agreement, the project will transition to commercial operation after completing a 15-day trial run.

The Rahughat project has an installed capacity of 40MW, equipped with two 20MW hydro-generating units. According to NEA annual data, the project adopts a peaking run-of-river development scheme, with a design diversion flow of 16.67 cubic meters per second. Major works include a 25-meter-high barrage, two desilting basins, approximately 6.27 kilometers of headrace tunnel, a surge shaft, a pressure shaft, and a surface powerhouse. The project draws water from the Raghuganga River for power generation, and the powerhouse is located on the right bank of the Kaligandaki River.

The project's designed annual power generation is approximately 247.9 million kWh, of which about 34% can be generated during the dry season, and it has the capability to operate at continuous full load for approximately 4 hours during evening peak demand. The two units have previously completed full-load testing and have now entered the continuous trial operation phase after grid connection.

During construction, the Rahughat project encountered multiple challenges including complex geological conditions, the pandemic, and floods. According to NEA data, the project is implemented by Raghuganga Hydropower Limited, with a financing structure that includes a credit line provided by the Export-Import Bank of India to the Government of Nepal, as well as joint investment by the Government of Nepal and NEA. The project's power purchase agreement was signed in 2019.

It should be noted that after heavy rainfall triggered flooding on September 27, some structures and transmission line towers of the Rahughat project were damaged, and technical teams have begun assessment and repair work. The damage occurred just after the project completed grid connection and entered the trial operation phase, and the subsequent commercial operation timeline may be affected by the progress of repairs.