The Dagachhu Hydropower Project is expected to resume operations later this month after months of restoration works. It remained non-operational since October last year following massive monsoon flooding.
According to officials, the restoration work has now been completed. Access roads to the weir or low-level barrier and powerhouse have also been restored.
Starting today, the project will begin refilling the water conductor system. The process is expected to take about a week as water must be filled gradually and carefully.
Officials said the spinning of the machine is scheduled for coming Saturday, marking a key step towards restarting power generation at project.
Three Bhutanese contractors were hired to carry out restoration works. The works included stabilizing slopes, restoring roads, repairing damaged structures and installing steel pipes.
Karma Penjor Dorji, the director general of the Department of Energy, MoENR said, “Yoezer Engineers for the Slope stabilization below the headrace channel and access roads, and river training works, Vajra Builders for civil works, construction of Saddles for headrace pipes, and BHSL for hydro-mechanical works. Restoration and stabilization work below the HRC has also been completed, including stabilization of HRC benches, construction of gabion walls and drainage systems, construction of reinforced concrete saddle blocks, completion of the transition block, and installation of 243 m of steel pipe along with expansion joints.”
The Dagachhu hydropower project was shut down on 9th October last year after unprecedented flooding on the 5th October caused extensive damage to several key infrastructure.
Heavy floods brought water levels far beyond what the hydropower plant was designed to handle. The flooding caused major erosion below the headrace channel, leading to damage to the water channel, access roads and several important structures.
Officials said the shutdown caused an estimated loss of 655 million ngultrum in power generation, equivalent to 192.35 million units of electricity.
Samten Dolkar
