kulekhane hydro project-II

HETAUDA, APR 18 -
Power generation from 32 MW Kulekhane Hydro Project - II has been halted completely since Tuesday after fire damaged three transformers of powerhouse based in Bhainse VDC. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said that damage could lead to rise in load shedding hours.
The fire that broke out at 11:45 last night damaged the property worth Rs 50 million, as per the preliminary estimation. According to project officials, the fire broke out after high voltage at electrical bushings that connects transformer and transmission line.
“The bushings had exploded due to high voltage when one of the machines was in operation,” said Project chief Krishna Prashad Yadav. “The fire engulfed three transformers of the project.”
He said the details of the damage would be available only after a probe panel, formed for the purpose, submits its report. Personnel of the Nepal Army and Nepal Police and locals put out the fire after nearly two hours with the help of fire engines brought from Chitwan, Birgunj and Hetauda.
Officials said as the fire was promptly taken under the control, thus preventing damage to the project’s power house. “The delay in extinguishing the fire could have led to the total demolition of the power house,” said an official.
The transformers, imported from Korea at the time of the construction of the project, were repaired by Japanese technicians a couple of years ago after being damaged by lightening.
“It will take three days to open the damaged transformers,” said the technician, “Only then will we be in a position to tell how long it will take to repair them, the repairing cost and if it requires  foreign technicians.”
Meanwhile, the NEA said though the power generation from the project would disrupt the energy supply, it is not in a position to say if there would be additional power cuts beyond the current 12 hours a day.
“Until we have a report on the damage, we cannot say for sure if there would be additional load shedding hours,” said Bhuwan Chettri, Chief of System Operation Department.  According to NEA officials, the power supply will be managed by importing additional energy from India or by other means for the next few days. “If the project needs to be halted for long, we will come up with a new load shedding schedule or explore other avenues,” said Chettri.