By Kailash Lama
Charikot, Apr. 30: The Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, being constructed in Lama Bagar, Bigu Rural Municipality–1 in Dolakha for the past 10 years, looks set to begin generating electricity soon.
The 456-megawatt project, which is being built with domestic investment, carried out a test on Thursday by releasing water into the main water way. Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Basanta Kumar Nembang and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Parbat Gurung released the water by pressing the switch to open the left and right intake gates.
Dr. Ganesh Neupane, spokesperson for the project, said that all aspects of the water way, reservoir, tunnel

and pipes would be minutely tested and if there are no complications, the civil and hydromechanical tests of the hydel project would be completed by May 12. “Then, we will move on to the electromechanical tests which will be completed within 10 days,” he said.
“The first unit is expected to begin generating 67 megawatts of electricity from May 29,” Dr. Neupane said, informing that the project had six units, each with a capacity of 76 megawatts.
“Once the first unit begins production, the other units will follow suit,” Neupane said, adding, “We are hopeful that the project will start generating power in its full capacity before the end of the current fiscal year.”