Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Resumes Partial Operation; One Unit Generates 37 MW

Kathmandu — The Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, constructed under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower— a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)— has resumed partial operation. The project had been shut down after flash floods triggered by a glacial lake outburst from the Lyende River in Tibet on Asar 24 caused extensive damage to the project’s headworks and surrounding structures.

Following the completion of emergency repairs at the headworks, one of the three units at the powerhouse was brought back into operation from Saturday. Rasuwagadhi, with an installed capacity of 111 MW, produces 37 MW of electricity from each unit.

NEA’s Executive Director Manoj Silwal said that reconstruction works are progressing rapidly, with plans to bring the remaining two units into operation within a month. Full restoration of the remaining damaged sections of the headworks is expected to be completed before the next monsoon season. He credited the relentless efforts of NEA, Chilime, and Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Company staff for making it possible to resume power generation. “With electricity generation restored, managing winter demand will be relatively easier,” Silwal noted.

The flood had swept away key equipment at the headworks, including debris-blocking machines, gates, and other installations meant to filter logs, weeds, and vegetation carried by the river. More than two meters of mud had accumulated inside the control buildings, while huge boulders had damaged structures directing water into the tunnel. After electricity generation, the tailrace system had also flooded, completely submerging the turbine floor.

On the day of the disaster, 22 project staff were airlifted to safety by a Nepal Army helicopter from both the headworks and staff housing areas. The staff quarters were completely washed away. The main road from Syafrubesi to the project site had also been blocked in several sections due to landslides triggered by the flood.

Rasuwagadhi had begun commercial electricity generation on Poush 16, 2078. Power production had remained halted since the Asar floods caused severe damage. Once all three units resume operation, the project is expected to generate 613.875 million units of electricity annually, generating an estimated annual revenue of Rs. 3.25 billion for the company.