NEA instructs timely completion of Sanjen and Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects

KATHMANDU: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has instructed the contractor company to complete the construction of the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi, 42.5 MW Sanjen and 14.8 MW Upper Sanjen hydropower as soon as possible.

Chilime Hydropower Company is constructing both these projects. After the projects which have investment from the public under the people’s hydropower program were delayed, NEA has instructed the contractor to complete the work of the projects under its own and subsidiary companies as soon as possible.

NEA executive director Kulman Ghising instructed to complete the remaining work as soon as possible after discussing with the project management, construction contractors and consultants while monitoring the construction site.

The construction of the projects has been affected due to various natural disasters such as flood, earthquake and COVID-19 pandemic as well as obstruction at the Indian border, difficulties in transportation of construction materials and equipment, difficult geographical conditions, complexity in contract implementation and poor performance of the contractor.

Similarly, while the overall construction progress of the Upper Sanjen is 91 percent, Sanjen’s overall construction progress is 83 percent. Also, the construction of the main structure of Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project has reached the final stage. The contractor of civil structure and hydro-mechanical equipment has committed to completing its work within the next four months. The construction of the project has been affected due to electro-mechanical contractors.