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Extensive maintenance work has begun at the 69-megawatt Marsyangdi Hydropower Center located in Ambukhaireni, Tanahun. According to the center, electricity generation has been completely shut down for 22 days starting from February 14 in order to resolve technical issues seen in major structures, including the dam, tunnel, and powerhouse.

According to the center’s employee Shailendra Bhatta, an immediate need for maintenance was identified after excessive sand accumulated in the dam area and the main gates began reaching a deteriorated condition. “The sand deposited in the dam needs to be cleared, and since the gates had reached a state close to collapse, structural improvements have been initiated,” he said. He added that repairs were also necessary in the tunnel and other auxiliary structures, which is why the entire production system has been temporarily shut down.

For the maintenance work, technical personnel and skilled workers have been mobilized from various hydropower projects, including Kaligandaki. The center stated that work is progressing at a rapid pace to ensure completion within the stipulated timeframe. Prior notice regarding the shutdown had already been issued, and the target is to resume electricity generation from March 6.

The Marsyangdi Hydropower Project, which came into operation in 1985/86, is one of Nepal’s early large-scale hydropower projects. Through three turbines, the project has been generating 69 megawatts of electricity and has been making a significant contribution to the national transmission system. As the project has been in operation for a long time, technicians state that periodic structural maintenance and upgrades are necessary from time to time.

According to officials at the center, once the maintenance work is completed, production capacity is expected to stabilize, structural risks will be reduced, and long-term operation will become more efficient. They expressed confidence that regular maintenance and structural improvements will extend the project’s lifespan and help ensure continuity in the national energy supply.

Jalasarokar