Nepal - Moving on the right track

Nepal's recent progress in hydropower construction is phenonenal when compared with the previous century of hydropwer development, which achieved less than 1,200 MW in total. Conversely, it is expected that around 3,000 MW of hydroelectricity is to be added to the grid over the next three years.

Nepal has a large economically feasible hydropower potential of 44,000 MW, however the vast majority has yet to be harnessed. To address this, the Government of Nepal has come up with a roadmap to produce 15,000 MW of electricity within 15 years*.

ANDRITZ Hydro in Nepal

ANDRITZ has been a significant contributor to the Nepalese hydropower sector for many years. Over the last three decades almost 1,200 MW of electricity generation capacity has been commissioned or is in development. For example, ANDRITZ is the electro-mechanical and recently also the hydro-mechanical contractor of Nepal’s national priority project Upper Tamakoshi (456 MW), the largest hydropower plant funded solely by the Nepalese. This is in addition to 33 other projects all around the country. ANDRITZ is also now actively involved in hydro-mechanical works in Nepal and secured four contracts in 2019 alone.

Kalanga Cluster Projects: Located in the Bhajang District, one of the most remote parts of Nepal, the Kalanga cluster projects include Upper Kalanga Gad (38.46 MW), Kalanga Gad (15.34 MW) and Upper Sanigad (10.7 MW). In 2017, ANDRITZ signed a contract with Kalanga Group of Companies, a well-known independent power producer in Nepal and the developer of these projects. The scope includes the supply of three vertical, four-jet Pelton turbines for Upper Kalanga Gad, two horizontal Francis turbines for Kalanga Gad, and two horizontal Pelton turbines for Upper Sanigad. The scope also includes the entire electro-mechanical equipmment as well as erection and commissioning.

Likhu Cluster Projects: Likhu 1 (77 MW), Likhu 2 (54 MW) and Likhu A (29 MW) are three cluster projects on the Likhu River at Ramechhap District developed by a single client, MV Dugar Group. ANDRITZ signed a contract in December 2018 for the delivery of three vertical, five-jet Pelton turbines for Likhu 1, three vertical Francis turbines for Likhu 2, and three horizontal Francis turbines for Likhu A. The contract included the entire electro- and hydro-mechanical scope, as well as erection and commissioning.

Nilgiri Cluster Projects: In December 2019, ANDRITZ signed the hydro-mechanical contract for the Nilgiri cluster projects in Myagdi District. The cluster comprises Nilgiri Khola I (38 MW) and Nilgiri Khola II (71 MW) and is developed by the well-regarded Nilgiri Khola Hydropower Company Limited. The contract includes design, engineering, fabrication and installation of the penstock (service contract) and supply of manholes and bifurcations (supply contract).

^{* Report from Energy White Paper 2018 published by Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.}

Author: Dhakal Aashish, Kunwar Roshni