Feasibility Study on Hydropower Potential of Rataun Khola Micro-hydropower, Chyamranbesi VDC

Abstract

Rural VDCs which are still deprived from electricity can harvest their water source to meet their demand for domestic electrification, operation of grinding machine and saw mill. This can contribute to current scenario of energy crisis in Nepal. Micro-hydropower is not only a source of energy but also develops capacity of people through community participation and local governance. Chyamrangbesi VDC is one representative location of Nepal that is located very close to Kathmandu valley and still deprived of electricity from national grid. This valley has least flow of 200 LPS in summer in small valley of 65 sq km. This VDC is very much feasible for installation of several micro and smaller hydro plants that produces up to 200 kW. 300 households scattered diversely throughout the village can use electricity for domestic use and operate smaller industry for income generation such as sericulture and milk chilling center. This study is focused in observing major river system in Chyamranbesi VDC with an objective to estimate total hydropower potential and its potential use by villagers. Resources were prioritized as feasible or unfeasible on the basis of cost, topography, water rights and other issues. Baseline including socio-economic, hydrology and topography were studied. Finally, study was concluded with feasibility study and design of micro-hydropower plant of 45 kW in Rataun Khola. Chyamranbesi has good potential for hydropower generation. Energy thus generated will be able to sustain Chyamranbesi VDC for domestic electrification and can also support milling and other income generating activities. PV and wind plants can also be integrated with the system as southern belt including Sukum and Jhinge Dada.

Keywords: Energy crisis, hydropower potential, national grid

Cite this Article

Ranjan Aryal, Sabita Aryal Khanna, Ashish Shrestha, et al.Feasibility Study on Hydropower Potential of Rataun Khola Micro-hydropower, Chyamranbesi VDC. Journal of Offshore Structure and Technology. 2016; 3(2): 28–31p.