Report on Pharping Hydroelectricity Station - Prajwal Neupane

                                                        

A report on  "PHARPING HYDROELECTRICITY STATION"

first hydropower station of Nepal and second of asia

 

Introduction:

We had visited the first hydropower project of Nepal and second of asia, Pharping hydropower project natively known as Chandrajyoti Hydroelectric Power Station which is located on Dakchinkali-2, Pharping VDC. Pharping Hydro Power Project is the first hydro-power project of Nepal and second of Asia. This is situated in Kathmandu district. In 2010 it was declared a Living Museum by government of Nepal and was open for public. Being century old station it’s the historic power station in Nepal built in 1968 BS with the capacity of 500 KW. Pharping Hydro Power was established in 2068 BS as Chandrajyoti Hydro-electric power station by Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana. The construction work was started on 1964 BS and was finished on 1968 BS. Plant was Inaugurated by King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah Dev on Monday, 22 May, 1968 BS at around 6: 30 Pm by turning the lights on during a program in Tudhikhel, Kathmandu. The Power Station utilizes spring water from Satmule and Shesh Narayan area.  Currently water from the reservoir lake is used for drinking water supply for Lalitpur District.

Objectives:

We had set the following objevtives in my study visit:

·       To observe the condition of power house station.

·       To know the idea of generating electricity through that means.

·       To explore around the ancient hydroelectricity project of Nepal.

·       To observe how it was constructed.

·       To get information about different functions of different machines used there.

·       To know about the functions and capacity and other features of that power station.

                         

                         

Findings:

                               

We found many more things there in the Power station. We observed all the machines and the process of generating the electricity. There were many machines used to generate the electricity. The condition of the The station was good enough to produce electric current for certain households.The reservoir has the diameter of 200 ft and its depth is 18 ft. It's total storage capacity is 5,28,783.00 cu. ft. There is penstock pipe of 20 inch internal diameter of length 2538 ft to transfer water from reservoir to the power station. The installed capacity of the power house was 500 kw with 2 units with 250kw and 250kw but I cannot produce that much now. The turbine was made by the British Company. The type of dam of Pharping hydro Power Project is Run-of-the-river type dam. Firstly, The water is passed to the power generating station through the penstock pipe. When the water reaches to the Station it is blocked and kept there. There is a amchine named governor to control over the machine. There is one wheel to open and block the water. When the water is passed through the wheel the water passes to the turbine which contains 12 pedals, it starts to rotate by the force of water. When it rotated, certain magnetic field is produced and by that magnetic field the electricity generates. We also saw the ancient ranas machines which are brought by ranas which are now a part of museum and are unconditionable. We also saw the huge pully system to carry the turbine systems and machines if they becomes damaged. Nepal Electricity Authority took over Chandrajyoti Hydro-electric Power Station and renamed it Pharping Hydro Power Station and had since been smoothly running the power station till the late 1990s when it was considered that the aging power station needed to be converted into a heritage site. It was erected with a grant from British Government at a cost of NRs. 7,13,273.82. There are two units each with a rated capacity of 250 kW totaling installed capacity of the Power Station to be 500 kW. Previously, only one unit was operated for an hour a day but currently due to increase shortage drinking water. A master plan has been prepared to develop the site as Live Energy Museum with constructions and establishments including scientific reasearch center and model power station of wind, solar, and hydro and as a centenary celebration memorial, Inauguration day of this Plant, 9 Jest is celebrated as National Energy Day to mark the begining of Hydropower Development in Nepal.

 Methodology:

We have adopted both primary and secondary method to meet my objectives. They are :

i.                Direct visit to hydropower station.

ii.              Interview with the engineers and maechanics.

iii.            Reading different informative posters and pamphlets pasted there.

iv.             Direct observe and use of different machines.

                                                                      

  

Conclusion & Recommendation:

·      Conclusion:

                    In conclusion, I can say that the power station was very good. No any problems are seen on the machines as it is renovated..There is a peaceful environment. But the security arrangement was not strong. Anyone can enter forcefully there. The protection of the station is not done well.

·      Recommendation:

                              I recommend the following things that should be done for the development and welfare of Pharping Hydroelectricity Station :

i.                 New technologies and new inventions should be carried out in the power station to increase the efficiency of work..

ii.               The capacity of the station shold be increased by forcing more water and by new machines.

iii.              The promotion and protection of the hydropower and its renovation should be done is a safe manner as it is the dirst hydropower station of Nepal and second of asia.