Situated near Panchthar district Headquater Phidim, 14.9 MW, Hewa A Hydro Project has started generating power. With the power generation, the hydro project is planning to test electricity transmission within a week.

“A source at the Hewa A Project (14.9 MW) said that 99.9 per cent work at the project was completed,” The Himalayan Times reported.

Although Nepal Electricity Authority had carried out a study to construct a 10 MW hydro power project in the area, it had quit the project following the announcement of policy of not constructing small hydro projects up to 20 MW.

The study was carried bout by Panchthar Power Company at a cost of Rs 11.5 million in 2011 and the construction work had started after the Power Purchase Agreement in 2012.

It was originally slated to be completed within three years but the construction period was delayed due to disputes with locals, strikes and blockade.

Project Chief Pusphajyoti Dhungana said that with the major infrastructure works, including tunnels, powerhouse, and transmission complete, the focus now is on the design and walling. “We are preparing a dry test in a week”, Dhungana added.

“The power generated from the project will be installed to the central transmission line through Ilam-Phidim 33 KVA Electricity Transmission Line. Since the work on 132 KVA electricity transmission line Kabeli Corridor is yet to be completed, the installation of all the power generated from the project to the central transmission line will be delayed,” reports The Himalayan Times.

Chief Dhungana said that only 10 MW will be installed into the central transmission line till the Kabeli Corridor is ready. Panchthar Power Company and eleven banks including Sanima have share ratios of 25 and 75 per cent in the project.Situated near Panchthar district Headquater Phidim, 14.9 MW, Hewa A Hydro Project has started generating power. With the power generation, the hydro project is planning to test electricity transmission within a week.ct.