Khimti I Hydropower Project (60 MW)
The project has an installed capacity of 60MW and uses a gross head of 684 m through a total waterway length of 10 km at the rated flow of 10.75 m3/s.
Construction works for the project had started in 1993, although the work gained momentum only after financial closure in June 1996. The project was completed in May 2000, ahead of schedule despite tremendous geological, logistical and other local problems.
The environmental impacts of Khimti are very small and the project has been praised for its excellent compliance with strict health, safety and environmental standards. The labour relations through out the project were also excellent.
| Project | Khimti I Hydropower Project (60 MW) |
| Location | Ramechhap/Dolakha District, Central Nepal |
| Financed by | Asian Development Bank, IFC/World Bank, NORAD, Nordic Development Fund, Exportfinance |
| Owner | Himal Power Limited (HPL) |
| Independent Engineer | Morrisson Knudsen |
| Project Management | Statkraft Engineering (Norway), Butwal Power Company |
| Electro-Mechanical | ABB Kraft (now Alstom), Kvarner Energy (now GE), Nepal Hydro & Electric |
| Civil Contractor | Consortium of Statkraft Anlegg AS, Norway (now NCC) and Himal Hydro |
| Intake River | Khimti Khola |
| Dam/Intake | Gravity Concrete, Excavation 28,000m3, Rip Rap 14,000m3 |
| Desilting | Excavation 85,000m3, Concrete 17,000m3 (Including Intake) |
| Tunnels | Headrace 14m2 x 8km, Inclined 4.5 - 6m2 x 937m, Access 24m2 x 890m, Tailrace 15.5m2 x 1,400m |
| Highest Head Project in Nepal | Gross Head 686m, Longest Headrace Tunnel (7900 m), Longest Penstock Tunnel (1000 m) |
| Powerhouse | Cavern 96m2 x 75m, Rock Support as per 'Q' value, Concrete 1,800m3 |
| Total Cost of Project | US$ 140 Million |
| Cost of Civil Works | US$ 56 Million |
| Period | 1996 - 1999 |
Site Layout
