Tanahu, May 25: The 22-megawatt Seti Khola Hydropower Project in Tanahu has begun trial electricity production after completing major construction works, project officials said.
The run-of-river hydropower project, located along the Seti River between Punditar of Pokhara Metropolitan City–33 and Kotre of Shuklagandaki Municipality–2, has entered the technical testing phase following the completion of civil structures, hydromechanical systems and transmission infrastructure.
Project Chief Engineer Ujjwal Regmi said all physical infrastructure has been completed, allowing the project to move into operational testing.
Construction of the Rs. 5.2 billion project began in April 2021 under M.A. Construction Pvt. Ltd. A dam has been built in Tikhalang and Musetunda areas of Pokhara Metropolitan City wards 29, 30 and 33. Water from the Seti River is diverted through a 3.2-kilometre underground tunnel before being dropped 68 metres to the powerhouse in Punditar.
The project operates two turbines with a capacity of 11.5 MW each. Generated electricity is connected to the national grid through a substation in Punditar and a 1.5-kilometre transmission line linked to the 132 kV Lekhnath–Damauli transmission corridor.
Authorities have warned residents living along the Seti River to remain cautious during the testing phase, as sudden fluctuations in water flow may occur. The project has advised the public to avoid swimming, fishing, sand and gravel extraction, grazing livestock near the riverbanks, and approaching transmission towers between Kotre and Eaklekhet while technical testing is underway. #Nepal
