Myagdi. Myagdi: Trial production of the 21.3 MW Bigkhola Hydropower Project constructed at Kuinemangale of Raghuganga Rural Municipality-8 in Myagdi has begun.

The project, promoted by The Joint Energy Limited, has set a schedule to start commercial production from August 1after the successful 15-day trial production. Joint Energy Plant Manager Binod Poudel said the project, which currently produces only half the capacity (12.5 MW), will come into commercial operation at full capacity from the beginning of August.

“There is no water problem at present to run the project to its full capacity,” he said, adding, “The production capacity has fluctuated as the vibration of the machine connected to the power house is under examination.” ’

The project, which has a dam at the foot of the border area of Kuinemangale and Chimkhola, has started generating electricity by diverting the water brought through tunnel and penstock pipes to the power house built on the banks of The Raghuganga River at Chhari. A 3,382-metre tunnel and a 634-metre penstock pipeline have pumped water into the powerhouse.

The electricity generated from the project is connected to the national system from the switchyard of Rahughat Hydropower Project at Tilkenichaur of Raghuganga Rural Municipality-3 at a distance of 23 kilometers. Non-resident Nepalis and Nepalis have 30 per cent investment in the project while 70 per cent is invested by banks and financial institutions.

Sunrise Bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank and Siddhartha Bank have invested in the project. Sakura Power÷Tripal S JV had bagged the contract for the project while Toyer Hydro had bagged the contract for the electromechanical section.