Delay in repair and maintenance work hits NEA projects’ output
KATHMANDU, AUG 31 -
Even during the rainy season when hydropower projects are supposed to operate in their full capacity, NEA-operated projects are generating power below their installed capacity. The reason: lack of budget and delay in maintenance and repair work.
The Energy Ministry’s ‘Monitoring Report of NEA Power Stations’ says corrosion of electro-mechanical parts, sedimentation, delay in generator repairing, lack of spare parts for turbines and generators have taken their toll on NEA-run projects.
The report is based on the month-long field visit by the monitoring team headed by then State Minister for Energy Ramji Prasad Sharma that surveyed 16 NEA projects. The report says a total of Rs 4.5 billion is needed to fix the problems. NEA board member Kedar Sanjel, who was a part of the monitoring team, said if the government provides the amount, an additional 350 MW of electricity could be added to the national grid.
NEA’s General Manager for Engineering Services Upendra Dev Bhatta says all hydropower projects except Kulekhani Hydro Electricity Project are run-off-river projects and corrosion of electro-mechanical parts and sedimentation are the major problems in these projects.
With sedimentation emerging as a major problem in projects like Kulekhani and Trishuli, the report says NEA must have a sediment management strategy for other projects including Kali Gandaki ‘A’, Marshyangdi, Middle-Marshyangdi.
Currently, there are 19 projects being operated by NEA with an installed capacity of 370 MW. The report says major projects like Kali Gandaki ‘A’ (144 MW), Middle Marshyangdi (70 MW), and Marshyangdi (69 MW) are facing problems due to delay repair and maintenance work.
NEA’s lack of concern over repair and maintenance has resulted in the slowdown in power generation of these projects. For instance, Gandak Project (15 MW) is generating only 3.5 MW, while Kali Gandaki and Marshyangdi are generating around 80 MW and 45 MW, respectively.
According to the report, regular maintenance of civil and electromechanical structures of hydel projects can reduce the possible risk of electricity generation shutdown. It also talks of having a maintenance schedule for big repair work and making NEA’s Operation and Maintenance Department more responsible.
Most hydel projects lack sufficient spare parts, according to the report. It says necessary steps should be taken to arrange frequently needed spare parts such as bearing and runner of turbines.
The country’s largest hydel project till date, Kali Gandaki A, has leakage problem in its Gate no 3 and its Unit 1 needs overhauling, says the report. “Software of Kaligandaki A is based on Windows 95 and inability to make that software compatible with latest version of Windows software has resulted in problems,” states the report.
Control system, electrical protection and communication system of Marshyangdi Project are old, says the report, adding that the Gandak Project’s Unit 1 and Unit 3 is completely closed and its civil structure needs additional repairing.
“As of now, NEA’s financial health does not allow it to invest heavily in repair and maintenance work of these projects,” said Ishwari Prasad Tiwari, chief of NEA’s Operation and Maintenance Department for Large Project. “However, utmost attention should be given to improve otherwise the country’s power crisis will be more severe.”
Current generation status
Major Projects >> Installed Capacity >> Current Generation
Gandak >> 15 MW >> 3.5 MW
Kali Gandaki ‘A’ >> 144MW >> 80 MW
Modi Khola >> 15 MW >> 6 MW
Marshyangdi >> 69 MW >> 40-45 MW
Source: Kantipur
Even during the rainy season when hydropower projects are supposed to operate in their full capacity, NEA-operated projects are generating power below their installed capacity. The reason: lack of budget and delay in maintenance and repair work.
The Energy Ministry’s ‘Monitoring Report of NEA Power Stations’ says corrosion of electro-mechanical parts, sedimentation, delay in generator repairing, lack of spare parts for turbines and generators have taken their toll on NEA-run projects.
The report is based on the month-long field visit by the monitoring team headed by then State Minister for Energy Ramji Prasad Sharma that surveyed 16 NEA projects. The report says a total of Rs 4.5 billion is needed to fix the problems. NEA board member Kedar Sanjel, who was a part of the monitoring team, said if the government provides the amount, an additional 350 MW of electricity could be added to the national grid.
NEA’s General Manager for Engineering Services Upendra Dev Bhatta says all hydropower projects except Kulekhani Hydro Electricity Project are run-off-river projects and corrosion of electro-mechanical parts and sedimentation are the major problems in these projects.
With sedimentation emerging as a major problem in projects like Kulekhani and Trishuli, the report says NEA must have a sediment management strategy for other projects including Kali Gandaki ‘A’, Marshyangdi, Middle-Marshyangdi.
Currently, there are 19 projects being operated by NEA with an installed capacity of 370 MW. The report says major projects like Kali Gandaki ‘A’ (144 MW), Middle Marshyangdi (70 MW), and Marshyangdi (69 MW) are facing problems due to delay repair and maintenance work.
NEA’s lack of concern over repair and maintenance has resulted in the slowdown in power generation of these projects. For instance, Gandak Project (15 MW) is generating only 3.5 MW, while Kali Gandaki and Marshyangdi are generating around 80 MW and 45 MW, respectively.
According to the report, regular maintenance of civil and electromechanical structures of hydel projects can reduce the possible risk of electricity generation shutdown. It also talks of having a maintenance schedule for big repair work and making NEA’s Operation and Maintenance Department more responsible.
Most hydel projects lack sufficient spare parts, according to the report. It says necessary steps should be taken to arrange frequently needed spare parts such as bearing and runner of turbines.
The country’s largest hydel project till date, Kali Gandaki A, has leakage problem in its Gate no 3 and its Unit 1 needs overhauling, says the report. “Software of Kaligandaki A is based on Windows 95 and inability to make that software compatible with latest version of Windows software has resulted in problems,” states the report.
Control system, electrical protection and communication system of Marshyangdi Project are old, says the report, adding that the Gandak Project’s Unit 1 and Unit 3 is completely closed and its civil structure needs additional repairing.
“As of now, NEA’s financial health does not allow it to invest heavily in repair and maintenance work of these projects,” said Ishwari Prasad Tiwari, chief of NEA’s Operation and Maintenance Department for Large Project. “However, utmost attention should be given to improve otherwise the country’s power crisis will be more severe.”
Current generation status
Major Projects >> Installed Capacity >> Current Generation
Gandak >> 15 MW >> 3.5 MW
Kali Gandaki ‘A’ >> 144MW >> 80 MW
Modi Khola >> 15 MW >> 6 MW
Marshyangdi >> 69 MW >> 40-45 MW
Source: Kantipur
