KATHMANDU, JULY 05
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has inaugurated the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project - the national pride project of the country. The prime minister inaugurated the project virtually amidst a function organised at the PM's official residence in Baluwatar.
First unit of the total 456-MW capacity project has come into operations from today. The project site, Gogar, and PM's residence Baluwatar was connected through visual mode during the inauguration.
With the PM clicking the button via visual medium, the first unit of the project came into operation.
The project having six units has set a new milestone in the evolution of hydropower development of Nepal. This is so far the largest project which has been completed with domestic financing. The much-awaited hydropower project has come a long way of 11 years to generate the power.
It was delayed due to natural disaster and other reasons. Only one unit has come into operation today and remaining five will be brought into operation in a gradual manner. The project-generated electricity is connected to the national grid through 47.2- km transmission line (from Gogara, Dolakha-based power house to Khimti) having 220-kV capacity.
Though the primary estimated investment for the project was Rs 35 billion, it surged to around Rs 80 billion due to fluctuations in the rates of US dollar and interests.
A version of this article appears in the print on July 6 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
