Panchthar, September 20

Rairang Hydropower Project situated on the banks of the Iwakhola River that flows between Panchthar and Taplejung districts, has formally come into operation.

The 9.3 MW plant has started producing power from yesterday following its month-long test. Power generated from the plant is linked to the central grid through Amarpur sub-station on Kabeli Corridor. “We formally started power production following Nepal Electricity Authority’s green signal,” said the hydropower project Director Kubermani Nepal. The project that had entered power purchase agreement with NEA about six years ago, has offered 10 per cent of its stock to the people living in the project area. The project has affected residents in Taplejung and Panchthar.

Total cost of the project is estimated at around 1,600 million rupees. A consortium of banks, including Bank of Kathmandu, Citizens Bank, Siddhartha Bank, Machhapuchhre Bank and NCC Bank invested some 1,040 million rupees in the project.

With the completion of the 33-KVA Kabeli Corridor, under-construction projects in this region have expedited construction work. Hewakhola B 15-MW Hydropower Project has already started power production.