Agency: As of the morning of 31st October, 1,020 MW Tala project is operating at full capacity. Tala managed to fix two of its five gates which could open in time for the increased river volume.
1020 MW, P II is running four of its units from the total six, generating 650MW as there was not enough water with one more unit (4) on standby and unit 5 in shutdown for runner inspection.
336 MW Chukha is generating at full capacity. 720 MW Mangdechu is generating 510 MW is there was not sufficient water flow for full generation.
Kurichu Hydropower is generating 66MW, 64 Basochu is operating at full capacity.
118 MW Nikachu is generating 10 MW as one unit is down for maintenance of carbon brush and the water was not enough.
Suchhu was synchronised on 28th Oct, and is currently generating 10MW following repairs to the Glass Reinforced Pipe. Druk Green Consultancy is preparing designs and cost estimates for other affected infrastructures, including the project’s access road.
Meanwhile, the 126 MW Dagachu HP remains under restoration after a slope failure at its Head Race Channel.
Both plants had sustained damage due to torrential rains. At Suchhu HP, a section of the head race pipe and access roads was affected, with erosion of backfill materials exposing parts of the penstock pipe.
Dagachu HP had resumed operation at full capacity at 6:10 PM on 6th October after the heavy rains, but an emergency shutdown was carried out at 10:27 AM on 9th October to assess the Head Race Conduit (HRC). The HRC runs along the riverbanks of the Dagachu, and swelling of the river on 5th October saw discharges exceeding 1,000 cubic meters per second, a 1,000-year return period flood, representing a 0.1% annual probability. The extreme flow eroded the slope of the HRC, and officials cautioned that operating the machines without proper assessment could impose additional loads on the channel.
Restoration of the failed slope at Dagachu is in progress. Slope stability is being re-established by constructing riprap along the toe of the slope. Druk Green Consultancy is reviewing long-term solutions for slope stability, with the full restoration timeline to be determined once the slope is secured. The Hydropower Research and Development Center is conducting continuous 3D surveys twice daily to monitor slope movement.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, despite the ongoing infrastructure challenges, as of 31st October, the hydropower plants are generating electricity steadily.
