NATIONAL 2 (Spotlight Weekly)]

New Power Station

Despite generation of electricity by Khimti and Puwakhola hydropower project, load-shedding continues unabated

By KESHAB POUDEL

Nepal's power-starved central grid has at least some more electricity thanks to the timely completion of Khimti and Puwakhola hydro power projects but it is not enough to discontinue the ongoing load-shedding in the capital.

Although both projects add about 20 MW of power to the central grid, it is not enough to fulfil the demand of electricity before monsoon.

After the completion of Marsyangdi, Aandhikhola and Jhimruk in 1990, no major projects were commissioned to generate electricity as then official thinking was dominated by penchant to construct mega hydel projects. But after the abrupt termination of Arun III, there was a vacuum.

As the power demand is increasing by 8.6 percent per annum, Nepal needs to have more power projects to meet the demands.

Hydro power project : Still for behind

The load-shedding may cease from coming summer as Bhotekoshi 36 MW and Modi 14 MW will also start electricity generation within few months.

"I hope that load-shedding will end after the coming monsoon," said Dr. Bhola Chalise, managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority.

After the completion of these two projects, power supply may increase by two-fold. Good monsoon is also crucial to power generation.

The water volume in Kulekhani reserve dam will decide the fate of load-shedding this year. If there is good rainfall, there will be no load-shedding next year. Load-shedding in the country started in 1993 following the big flood that year which badly damaged the Kulekhani hydro project.

The generation of electricity by Puwa and Khimti, however, is worrisome for the farmers who depend on the water of Puwa and Khimti river for irrigation in the dry season.

The farmers at local areas have already demanded uninterrupted flow of water for irrigation on their land. Both the projects have claimed that they have discharged enough water as required by farmers.

Khimti and Puwa rivers remain a major source for irrigation in adjoining areas in Ramechhap and Ilam district respectively. Although the initial protests were insignificant, it seems that both the projects may have to face tough time in future.

Bhote Koshi 36 MW and Modi 14 MW also are in the final stages of completion and they too are going to supply power to the central grid very soon.

After power generation by all these projects, the country will get relief from load-shedding temporarily. But as the demand for power is set to increase, load-shedding may continue to last for several years.

According to former President of Ramechhap District Development Committee Shiva Bahadur Khadka, Khimti river is the main source of irrigation for the large area of the valley.

After the use of water for generation of power, farmers may face the deficit of water supply during the period of dry season from April till June.

Khimti is not a single project which is opposed by farmers, Modi Khola Hydro Power Project also faces similar problems.

According to the peak energy demand survey 1999, Nepal produced 276 MW electricity while the demand was for 326 MW with the shortfall of about 50 MW. The shortfall will increase gradually up to 300 MW within next couple of years.

this year's monsoon there will be no load-shedding. If there is no good monsoon, there will be more load-shedding again in next dry season.

As Nepal is entangled in controversy over big Vs small and private sector Vs government hydro power projects, it seems that power shortage in future will be more acute. The present sigh of relief may end very soon.