Marshyangdi generating only 4 MW

Marshyangdi generating only 4 MW
ekantipur, 24-Dec-08
PREM KUMARI GHALE

Despite formal inauguration of the 70 MW Mid-Marshyangdi Hydro Electricity Project (MMHEP) a week ago, the power house has only generated a total of 4 MW till date, according to officials.

The 4 MW power was generated at the time Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal inaugurated the project on December 14, 2008. Out of the total 70 MW power of MMHEP, only 35 MW line was connected to the national grid on the day of inauguration.

Sunil Dhungel, project manager of MMHEP said, "Power generation work at MMHEP has stopped as tests that have to be carried out at the initial phase of every hydro project remain incomplete."

According to him, it will take another three weeks to generate 35 MW of power daily from MMHEP as testing was halted after workers took leave for Christmas and New Year.

Officials said though MMHEP will start its daily power generation from the third week of January, the power house will at first generate 70 MW for five hours and 35 MW for the remaining hours of the day.

"The 75 MW MMHEP will generate full capacity from the first week of February, 2009," said Dhungel.

Meantime, locals are visibly agitated by the increase in load shedding hours despite construction of a 70 MW project, the second largest hydro project in their vicinity.