Marsyangdi Hydropower Center Resumes Power Generation After Completion of Major Maintenance

Tanahun. Power generation has resumed at the 69 MW Marsyangdi Hydropower Center located in Ambukhaireni Rural Municipality-4 after the completion of maintenance work. The center has restarted power generation after completing complex technical and civil structure works, which required a complete shutdown (shutdown) of the plant for the past 21 days, within the stipulated time frame.

This center, considered the third largest in terms of capacity and the second largest in terms of annual production among the centers under the Nepal Electricity Authority, had produced 451.7 GWh of electricity in the last fiscal year. To ensure the sustainable operation of the center, which had already produced 293.5 GWh by the end of Magh in the current fiscal year 2082/83, the plant was shut down from Falgun 2 to carry out maintenance work.

Kapildev Manjan, the head of the center, informed that works that had been pending for years and were considered very challenging were completed during this shutdown. According to him, protection work for the structure at the upper riparian area of the dam site and near the desander, which was at risk due to erosion, has been completed. Furthermore, the damaged structure of the 'Under Sluice Gate,' which is crucial for preventing sand from entering the tunnel and has been non-operational for the past 14 years, has been repaired and made operational.

Center Chief Manjan also stated that the work of removing sand accumulated for years in the compensating pool near the main intake was also completed during this period.

"Works related to contract agreements that were stalled for a long time and mechanical maintenance were completed with high priority," he said, adding, "The overhaul work of Unit Number 3 of the power house involved center employees and technicians from other hydropower centers."

Manpower was mobilized 24 hours a day in three shifts for the civil maintenance taking place in the dam area. Center Chief Manjan stated, "This maintenance was planned in such a way as to have minimal impact on production during the time when the river flow is at its minimum."

"We have succeeded in completing important civil works that were pending for years due to the special coordination of the concerned office, department, and directorate, and the support of high management. During the plant shutdown, other necessary electrical and mechanical maintenance works, including the replacement of the LT type breaker in the powerhouse, were also completed." The center stated that this maintenance will improve the center's production capacity and reduce technical risks.