Power production falls as winter hits peak

NUWAKOT: Production of electricity has declined by almost 40 per cent in Trishuli Hydropower Station due to reduced water level in glacial river Trishuli.

Electricity generation has plummeted to 13 megawatts from the installed capacity of 21 megawatts in Trishuli Hydropower.

“The water level has gone down and 5 out of 7 turbines are currently operational,” Station Chief Tara Datta Bhatta informed.

During peak-winter, melt rate of glaciers and snow declines resulting in reduced water flow in glacial rivers. The melt rate is expected to increase during first week of March.

In the past few years, Trishuli saw reduced water flow during February. However, the melt rate has declined earlier this year beginning from December resulting in substantial fall in power production.

Similarly, Devighat Hydropower Station, a cascade station of Trishuli Hydropower, has also reported a fall in power production. The cascade station with an installed capacity of 14 megawatts is currently producing 11 megawatts.

According to Bhatta, power production is likely to fall more in the upcoming days as the region has been experiencing a rapid decline in the temperature.