After almost 14 years of work on the 1,020-megawatt Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. Today, the testing and commissioning of this highly anticipated mega hydropower project began with the first spinning of units one and two turbines. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Gem Tshering attended the commissioning event with project officials.
Testing and commissioning of the project occurred in phases. In February, the project began filling the dam reservoir. By late June, the headrace tunnel—a tunnel that directs water from the reservoir to the powerhouse—was filled.
Earlier this month, the tailrace tunnel—a tunnel that carries water away from the turbine after power generation—was also filled.
On Monday, the pressure shaft, which manages water pressure in the headrace tunnel, was filled just before the spinning of the two turbines.
According to project officials, the successful spinning of the two turbines shows that the hydro-mechanical components are ready for commissioning.
Meanwhile, the energy and natural resources minister said that the rate of tariff is still being discussed with the Government of India.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Gem Tshering “We are still under tariff negotiation. The tariff might go above Nu 5 per unit. But then, our proposal is Nu 5.8. Whereas, the Government of India wants it to be around Nu 5. So most probably, we might land up around Nu 5.2 or so.”
The diversion dam of Punatsangchhu-II is situated about 20 kilometres downstream of the Wangdue Phodrang Bridge.
The project’s underground powerhouse is located 15 kilometres downstream from the dam at Kamichhu in Daga Gewog.
The energy and natural resources minister said that once all six turbines are operational, PHPA-II is expected to generate Nu 20bn in annual revenue.
The project officials shared that they plan to have all six units of the Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project commissioned by December 2024. The total estimated cost of the project stands at around Nu 94bn.
Karma Samten Wangda, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Sherub Dorji
