Upper Tamakoshi Resumes Full-Capacity Power Generation 24/7

Nepal’s largest domestically funded hydropower project, Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Center, has resumed 24-hour electricity generation at full capacity, producing 456 megawatts of electricity daily.

This development comes after partial repairs to both desanders—sand-settling ponds—damaged by a massive landslide on Ashwin 11, 2080 B.S. (September 28, 2023). The landslide had buried the control room and the underground culvert, halting power production for nearly three months last year.

Left and Right Desanders Repaired

By Poush 2080 B.S. (December 2023), the left desander was repaired, allowing the center to resume partial operations. Now, with the right desander partially fixed, the hydropower plant has been filled to capacity and is fully operational again.

According to project manager Purnagopal Ranjit, “Since Thursday afternoon, Upper Tamakoshi is now generating 456 MW of electricity around the clock.”

Although full structural restoration is still underway, Ranjit explained, “We’ve temporarily restored the system to minimize monsoon losses. It will take another 45 days to complete full reconstruction.”

Waiting Would Increase Losses

Ranjit added that waiting another month and a half would add to company losses. “That’s why we opted for partial operation at full generation capacity. The culvert damaged by mudflow has been repaired. With the dam refilled, 456 MW will be generated continuously until Ashwin (October 2025).”

Due to the monsoon, the team is closely monitoring flood risks. The plant’s design discharge rate is 66 cubic meters per second (cumecs), but last year’s heavy rains increased flow to 461 cumecs—far above safe operation levels. Under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the plant must shut down if flow exceeds 250 cumecs.

Reconstruction and Insurance Claims

Construction of a new control room is underway after the landslide completely destroyed the previous building, killing two staff members and two army personnel. The company has claimed Rs. 1.80 billion in insurance covering civil, electrical, and mechanical damages.

Daily Output Worth Rs. 40 Million

Upper Tamakoshi can produce electricity worth Rs. 40 million per day. In the dry season, it has played a key role in load management across the country, providing backup support to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

Designed as a semi-reservoir (PRoR) project, the plant runs 24/7 in monsoon and around 4–6 hours daily in winter. To extend winter generation to 6 hours, Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Company Ltd. is also constructing a new diversion project on the Rolwaling River, which will add 22 MW and channel the water into the main dam.