Sunkoshi partially resumes power production

CHAUTARA: The Sunkoshi Hydropower Project which was closed following the damages caused by the April 25 earthquake has come into operation on Wednesday.

The operation, however, is only partial.

The earthquake had damaged 2.6-kilometre tunnel of the project. Of which, a 700-metre stretch has been repaired, Project Chief Suraj Dahal said.

The 10.5-megawatt project would produce six megawatts of electricity after the maintenance.

The Jure landslide last year had also damaged the project. Of three generators installed for the project, two are operational. Power generated from the project has been connected to the national grid and the resumption of project is expected to help reduce loadshedding hours.

The earthquake had also hit the 45-megawatt Upper Bhotekoshi, 2.5-megawatt Sano Sunkoshi, three-megawatt Bhairabkunda and five-megawatt Chaku projects. It is estimated to take at least one year to bring the projects back into operation.