132-MW Lower Barun Hydroelectric Project waits for final approval to start construction

Kathmandu: The 132-MW Lower Barun Hydroelectric Project is going to be constructed as a part of Arun Valley in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality of Sankhuwasabha district.

According to the Department Of Electricity Development, Ampik Energy Pvt Ltd has sought approval to start the construction of the hydropower project, after finalizing the feasibility study. For this purpose, a 'run-of-the-river' (flow-based) project has been proposed using water from the Barun River within the central area of Makalu Barun National Park.

The estimated cost of the project, which is expected to be completed in the next five years, is Rs 20.12 billion. According to the department, the feasibility study shows the project will generate 494.482 gigawatt hours of electricity annually from. It has targeted to release 50 percent of the flow of the river every month from the dam site.

For the project with a design discharge of 18.44 cubic meters per second, a dam of 20 meters width and five meters height is proposed to divert river water. The powerhouse of the project will have six vertical turbines. After power generation, the water will be pumped back into the Barun River through a tailrace tunnel with a length of 505.75 meters and a diameter of 4.6 meters.

The generated electricity will be connected to the switchyard of the Upper Arun Hydroelectric Project through a 220 kV transmission line of 1.73 km length.

A part of the project Arun Valley is located in the central area of Makalu Barun National Park. The department has issued a 35-day public notice on Saturday to send a response if the construction of this project will have an adverse effect on stakeholders.