Kathmandu, September 25

The 50-megawatt Upper Marsyangdi Hydropower Project will start commissioning power from tomorrow. According to the developer, Power China Resources Ltd, 25 MW will be connected to the national grid on Monday and another 25 MW in the next two days.

Located in Lamjung district of western Nepal, the run of the river (RoR) project was developed by Power China Resources Ltd and local partner Sino-Sagarmatha Power Company Nepal. The project, which also includes the 132 kv single circuit transmission line from Bhulbhule (powerhouse) to Middle Marsyangdi Hydropower Project — a distance of around 25 km — was completed at a total cost of Rs 16 billion.

The project construction was started in October 2012 and was expected to be completed in December 2015. “But it was delayed due to the earthquake last year and the border-blockade that affected the construction works for a few months,” said Sheng Yuming, chairman of Power China

Resources Ltd. “Despite these unfavourable situations like the earthquake and supply route disruptions, I must say the project has been completed timely.”

Sino-Sagarmatha owns 10 per cent share in the Upper Marsyangdi hydel project.  Power China Resources Ltd has mobilised 75 per cent loan and 25 per cent equity for the project. The project’s payback period is 10 years.

Nepal Electricity Authority will off-take electricity at 5.999 cents per unit from this project.

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