Sunkoshi Hydropower Project (Head Works)

An Introduction

Salient Features

Sunkoshi HPP is a PRoR project.

Full capacity : 10.05 MW ( 3 units generating 3.35 MW each) at 6.3 KV

Construction start date: December of 1968

Construction complete date: January 1972

Project cost : 11 Crore NRs.

Well, you can buy 223 bullet motor cycle with that money.

The project was constructed as bilateral project with funding provided from then Chinese Government and then His majesty’s Government of Nepal.

                                                     Sunkoshi Barrage
                                           

                                       Sunkoshi barrage with hoisting room above
 

Canal

The average discharge in Sunkoshi River:

88 cu.sec.

There is a canal constructed with discharge capacity of 40 cu.sec 

There are two canals:

1.Main canal (2793m)

2.Side canal 

Under normal condition, main canal operates. 

However, whenever the main canal is not functioning due 

to the dredging work in settling basin, side can takes its

place. At present side canal is functioning.

Settling Basin 

 

Hopper type settling basin is present in main canal .It is  a continuous flushing system.

 

  
 Hopper type Settling basin                                                                                              Settling basin filled with sediment



 

Trash Rack

Trash rack is present in both

Main and Side canals’ entrance.

It functions in checking the entry larger sediments  and the floating debris in the river

 

 


 

Peaking Pond
 
Size of Preaking pond : 67000 cu m

It is used for satisfying the peaking demand of one and  half day.

It is not functional at present.

Forebay
 
Size of Forebay is 18000 cu.m

It is energy dissipating structure.

It protects the 3 Penstocks below.

It is also provided with trash rack.

 
 

Penstock

There are 3 Penstocks.

Its length is 87m each and the diameter is 2.4 m each.

These are extremely expensive.

At present only two are runing, due to the misphap that occurred in upstream of the barrage.

 

Turbine

The are 3 turbines receiving flow form 3 penstocks.

Turbine type:

Reaction turbine- Francis turbine.

Which is the desirabe turbine for medium head of 30.5m

The speed of rotation( optimum)= 300rpm.

 

 Other features

- 8 years earlier  : Manual Cotrol System.

-At present :Electronic Control System.

-Cooling system:

-Natural air cooling-Air forced cooling  

-Water forced cooling

-Oil cooling   (90 liter of oil is used)

                               
                                                 Plan of Sunkoshi Hydropower Project showing its headworks