Kulekhani - I Hydropower Station

Kulekhani -1 is the only one reservoir type Hydroelectric Power Station in Nepal. Its installed capacity is 60 MW having two units each of 30 MW. This powerhouse was designed as peaking power station but it has been supporting as emergency stand by station also. The annual expected energy generation capacity as primary energy is 165 GWH and 46 GWH as secondary energy. This power station has generated 174.092 GWh of energy in fiscal year 061/62, an increase of 10.67% compared to the last years generation. With this generation the reservoir level has gone down to 1488 from 1530.5 mts. Generation from Kulekhani-1 contributed 7.19% in the INPS. This project was constructed under the financial assistance of World Bank, The Kuwait Fund, OPEC Fund, the UNDP and the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) of Japan and Government of Nepal. The total project cost of the project was US$ 117.843 million and accordingly the project was transferred to NEA with a capital cost approximately NRs. 155 crores. The telemeter system installed for rainfall , water level measurement and indication cost around NRs. 13.74 crores. The cost of road, check dams and inclined tunnel are about 23 crores. The main purpose for the construction of this power station was to take the peak load only but the unavailability of the sufficient power with respect to demand , the power station was forced to operate as and when required. Salient Features Type : Reservoir Rated net head : 550 meter Design discharge : 12.1 m3/s Headrace tunnel : 6233 m, 2.3 m diameter Penstock pipe : 1324 m long, 2.1 – 1.5m diameter steel pipe Installed capacity : 60 MW Turbine type and numbers : Pelton, 2 sets Rated speed : 600 rpm Type of generator : Vertical shaft, Synchronous Capacity : 35 MVA Rated voltage : 11 KV Power transformer : 11/66KV, 3 phase, 35 MVA, 2 Nos Average annual generation : 211 GWh (Primary energy 165 GWH and secondary energy 46 GWH) Catchments area : 126 sq. km. Civil construction start : 1977 A.D. Commissioning date : 14th May, 1982 Construction cost : 117.84 million USD Financed by : World Bank, Kuwait Fund, UNDP, OECF and OPEC Fund