40-MW Rahughat Hydropower Project Nears Test Generation

Kathmandu: Construction of the long-awaited 40-MW Rahughat Hydropower Project in Myagdi has been completed, paving the way for test power generation within the next 7–10 days.

The physical construction and installation of major equipment at the project, developed by Raghuganga Hydropower Limited (RGHPL), a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), have been completed.

RGHPL Managing Director Ganesh KC said preparations are underway to begin power generation. Testing of the dam, desander, tunnel and switchyard has been successfully completed, while testing of the second 20-MW generating unit began on Sunday.

“The project is now preparing for power generation. Trial generation is expected within a week to 10 days,” KC said, adding that efforts are being accelerated to bring the project into commercial operation.

The project includes a dam located at the foot of Raghuganga Rural Municipality-4 in Dagnam and Ward No. 5 of Jhin, a 6.27-km main tunnel, two water-retention ponds and a powerhouse at Tilkenichaur. Testing of the installed equipment began after the powerhouse was completed.

The project's switchyard, built to connect the generated electricity to the national transmission grid, has been operational since June 8.

Indian contractor Jaiprakash Associates (JP) was awarded the civil construction contract for around Rs 6 billion. The agreement was initially signed on November 17, 2017, with a 45-month completion deadline. However, the project faced repeated delays and its deadline was extended several times.

Construction was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, landslides and shortages of river-based construction materials, according to JP Project Manager Harish Agrawal.

RGHPL was established in March 2017 to develop the 40-MW project in Myagdi district of Gandaki Province. With construction finally complete, the project is now moving toward its long-awaited test generation phase.