FSR - UMI HEP 23 - Oct - 2016)

Feasibility Study Report
FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT
OF
UPPER MYAGDI-I HYDROPOWER PROJECT
VOLUME I
Submitted to
HIMALAYAN INFTASTRUCTURE FUND PVT. LTD.
Prepared by
Feedback Infrastructure Services Nepal Limited
Feedback Infrastructure Services Nepal Ltd.

2nd Floor, Heritage Plaza II, Kamaladi, Kathmandu, Nepal
www.feedbackinfra.com
UM-IHP 1
October, 2016
REPORT CONTENTS
VOLUME I MAIN REPORT
VOLUME II MAPS AND DRAWINGS

 LOCATION MAPS
 GEOLOGICAL MAPS
 CIVIL DRAWIGS
 ELECTRICAL DRAWINGS
VOLUME III ANNEXES

 APPENDIX A TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY
 APPENDIX B HYDROLOGY AND SEDIMENTOLGY
 APPENDIX C GEOLOGY AND GEOTECHNICAL
 APPENDIX D HYDRAULIC DESIGN
 APPENDIX E POWER AND ENERGY
 APPENDIX F COST ESTIMATE AND FINANCIAL
ANALYSIS
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Abbreviation
ºC Degree Centigrade
AC Alternating Current
ACB Air Circuit Breaker
ACSR Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced
amsl Above Mean Sea Level
AVR Automatic Voltage Regulator
B/C Ratio Benefit Cost Ratio
BM Bench Mark
BOD Biological Oxygen Demand
BoQ Bill of Quantities
CB Circuit Breaker
Cm Centimeter
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand
cumecs Cubic Meter per Second
cusecs Cubic Feet per Second
D/L Distribution Line
D/S Downstream
DC Direct Current
DDC District Development Committee
DF Discount Factor
DHM Department of Hydrology and Meteorology
DHQ District Headquarter
Dwg. No. Drawing Number
EDM Electronic Distance Meter
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
FDC Flow Duration Curve
FISNL Feedback Infrastructure Services Nepal Limited
FSR Feasibility Study Report
Fig Figure
FY Fiscal Year
GLOF Glacier Lake Outburst Flood
GoN Government of Nepal
GW Gigawatt
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GWh Gigawatt Hour

H/H Household
HIF Himalyan Infrastructure Fund Limited
Ha Hectare
HFL High Flood Level
HPP Hydropower Project
hrs. Hours
HT High Tension
Hz Hertz
IEE Initial Environment Examination
INPS Integrated Nepal Power System
IPP Independent Power Producers
IRR Internal Rate of Return
kg Kilogram
km Kilometer
kV Kilovolt
kVA Kilovolt Ampere
kW Kilowatt
kWh Kilowatt Hour
2
km Square Kilometer
L/B Left Bank
LF Load Factor
LT Low Tension
m Meter
3 3
m /secor m /s Cubic Meter per Second (cumecs)
m
Max or Max Maximum
Mg/l Milligram per Liter
MHP Micro Hydro Project
m
Min or Min Minimum
mm Millimeter
MS Mild Steel
amsl Above Mean Sea Level
MVA Mega Volt Ampere
MW Megawatt
MWh Megawatt Hour
N North
NEA Nepal Electricity Authority
NPV Net Present Value
NRs. Nepalese Rupees
NW North West
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O&M Operation and Maintenance

PCC Plain Cement Concrete
PPA Power Purchase Agreement
ppm Part per Million
PV Present Value
R/B Right Bank
RCC Reinforced Cement Concrete
rpm Revolution per Minute
SF6 Sulphur Hexa Fluoride
SHP Small Hydropower Project
UM-IHP Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project
U/S Upstream
US$ or USD United States Dollar
V Volt
VCB Vacuum Circuit Breaker
VDC Village Development Committee
VHF Very High Frequency
W Watt
yrs. Years
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
OF
UPPER MYAGDI-IHYDROPOWER PROJECT
Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project is situated at Myagdi District, Western

Development Region. Project area lies between 28° 27' 30" N and 28° 31' 10" N latitude
and 83°20' 44” E and 83° 23' 06" Elongitudes.It is located about 230km road distance
towards North-West of Kathmandu and from Kathmandu to Beni it is about 200km
which is all season black top road and further about 20km from Beni to Darbangis fair
weathered earthen road which is the main access road from Kathmandu to project site.
Further, around 10km access road is to be constructed to make powerhouse and
headwork site accessible from nearest road head and additional 1.5 km road need to be
constructed to facilitate construction of Surge shaft.
Project lies in the left bank of the Myagdi River. Headworks site is located about 80m
downstream from confluence of Mudi and Myagdi River. Powerhouse is proposed just
upstream of the confluence between Marng and Myagdi River.Myagdi River is a snow-
fed river originating from the high mountains.
Proposed headworks site of Upper Myagdi-IHydropower Project lies at longitude 83º 21'
25" E and latitude 28º 30’ 54 N, at an elevation of 1355amsl. It is about
80mdownstream from the confluence with Mudi River. Catchment area of Myagdi River
at the proposed intake site is 665 km2.Proposed powerhouse site of Upper Myagdi
RiverHydropower Project lies at longitude 83º 22’ 57” E and latitude 28º 27' 40" N, at
an elevation of 1160m and located just upstream the confluence of Marang and
MyagdiRiver. Total catchment area at proposed powerhouse site is 768 km2.
Design discharge of the project at 40% exceedance flow has been found to be 33.6
m3/s. Design of the diversion weir and the headworks has been carried out considering
for 100 years return period flood discharge of 1453 m3/s.
Installed capacity of the Upper Myagdi-IHydropower Project is 53.5MW. This scheme

comprises of 52m longogee type weir with crest level at EL.1359.00 will divert the
design flow to the intake located at the left side of the River. The weir will have a layer
of abrasion resistance concrete of min. 20 cm. Two sluiceway of width 4.00 meters has
been provided before the intake. The sluice way 4.0m width & 4.8m high will be
provided. Desanding system of the plant is located about at the distance of 140m from
the intake. It is underground type. It has two basins with length 120 meters, width 7.50
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meters & 11.55meters height.Total length of headrace tunnel of 4m finished diameter is

5.5km. A surge shaft with diameter of 6.50m and height of 55m is proposed at the end
of headrace tunnel. Powerhouse is connected by a 770m long penstock having 3m
diameter. Two Francis turbines of 26.75MW capacities each will be installed in a surface
powerhouse at Marang VDC. 220 m Tailrace discharges water back into Myagdi River
downstream of the confluence between Marang and Myagdi River.
28km long single circuit 132kV Transmission line is required to to evacuate power from
project’s powerhouse up to proposed Dana Substation.
This project is planned to be commissioned by the end of FY 2020/2021, with

construction period estimated at four years. Construction power is planned by
connecting from the nearest transmission line or diesel set.
Total annual energy generation from the plant is 323.88GWh. However, the annual
energy available for sale excluding outage, station consumption and transmission
losses, totalling 5% comes out to be 307.68 GWh. Out of which 261.46GWh is the wet
energy and 46.22 GWh is the dry energy.
Cost estimate of Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project has been carried out based on
2016price level. Major cost components are divided into Land and support, Pre-
operating expenses, infra-structure works, main civil works, hydro-mechanical works
and electromechanical works & transmission line works. Cost of value added tax and
contingencies have also been considered in the cost estimate. Total construction cost of
the project without interest during construction as of 2016 is estimated at NRs. 8,108
Million.
Financial cost of the project includes taxes, duties, and price contingency during
construction and interest during construction. Based on the assumed disbursement of
the cash flow, the total financial cost of the project is estimated at NRs. 9,331 million.
The specific cost of the project by the end of construction comes out to be NRs. 174 .42
million (US$ 1.63 million) per MW.
Financial analysis of the project is carried out to assess the financial viability of the
project. PPA is expected to follow the prevailing practice in Nepal i.e. NRs. 8.40/kWh in
the dry season) and NRs. 4.80/kWh in wet season with annual escalation of 3% for five
times from the commercial operation date.
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Internal rate of return of the project (without IDC) worksout to be 16.78%. Likewise,
benefit cost ratio is 1.62 and NPV is NRs. 2,514 million. The average debt service
coverage ratio is 1.82 as summarised below.
Capacity IRR (%) B/C DSCR NPV (M NRs)

53.5MW 1616.78 1.62 1.82 2514.39
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SALIENT FEATURES OF THE PROJECT
1.0 General
Source River : Myagdi River

VDC : Bima, Takam, Mudi, Marang
District : Myagdi
Zone : Dhaulagiri
Development Region : Western
Type of Scheme : Run-of-River
Gross Head : 198.20 m
Net Head : 183.38 m
Design Discharge : 33.6 m3/s
Installed Capacity : 53.5MW
Plant Factor : 69%
Net Annual Generation : 307.68 GWh
2.0 Hydrology & Meteorology
Catchment Area : 665 km2

Average Annual Precipitation : 2336 mm
Design 100-yrs Flood : 1453 m3/s
Long-term Average Flow : 62.36 m3/s
Design Discharge : 33.6 m3/s
3.0 Diversion Weir & Intake
Diversion Weir - Type : Overflow Ogee

- Length : 52m
- Crest Level : 1359.00 m
Intake - Type : Side Intake

- No: 3
- Opening Size : 4 X3.5m
- Sill Level : 1355.20 m
Undersluice - Size : 4 X 4.8m (WXH)

- No. of Bays : 2 No.
- Sill Level : 1352.00 m
4.0 Desilting Basin
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Location : Underground
Type : Double bay intermittant flushing
No of Basin : 2
Size (L x W x H) : 120 m x 7.50 m x 11.5 m
Particle Size to be settled : 0.2 mm
5.0 Water Conveyance
Tunnel -Type : Inverted D

-Diameter : 4m
-Length : 5500 m
6.0 Surge Shaft
Type : Simple
Diameter : 6.50 m
Height : 55 m
Normal Water level : 1359amsl
7.0 Penstock
Penstock Pipe - Type : Mild Steel

- Length : 770 m
- Diameter : 3m
8.0 Powerhouse
Location : Surface
Clear Size : 30 m x 16 m x 20 m (L x B x H)
Number of Units : 2 Nos.
Type of Turbine : Francis
Rated Capacity : 26.75 MW x 2 Nos.
9.0 Tailrace cannel

Type : Rectangular box type
Size : 4.5 X3.30m
Length : 220m
10.0 Transmission Line & Grid Connection

Specification : 132 kV Single Circuit
Conductor : 132 KVSCBEAR
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Length : 28 km (upto proposedDana Substation)
11.0 Power Transformers

Step-up Transformer - Type : Out Door Oil Immersed
- Cooling: ONAN
Number of Units : 7 Nos.
Rated Capacity : 10.5 MVA x 7 Nos.
12.0 Generator
Generator - Type : Synchronous, salient pole
- Specification : 31760KVA, 11000 V, 50 Hz
- Synchronous Speed : 428.5rpm
- No. of Pole : 14
13.0 Total Cost of the Project : NRS 9331.933 Million
14.0 Specific Project Cost : US$ 1630.85 per kW
15.0 Internal Rate of Return (IRR) : 14.66%
16.0 Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) : 1.33
17.0 Construction Period : 48 months
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 19

1.1 Background ................................................................................................... 20
1.2 Objective and Scope of Work ........................................................................... 20
1.3 Organization of Report .................................................................................... 21
CHAPTER 2- DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AREA ............................................................. 22
2.1 Location ........................................................................................................ 23
2.2 Physical Features ........................................................................................... 23
2.2.1 Topography ............................................................................................ 23
2.2.2 Climate .................................................................................................. 23
2.2.3 Geology.................................................................................................. 24
2.3 Accessibility ................................................................................................... 24
CHAPTER 3–FIELD INVESTIGATION AND DATA COLLECTION ......................................... 26
3.1 Topographical Survey and Mapping .................................................................. 27
3.1.1 Available Maps ............................................................................................... 27
3.1.2 Surveying ..................................................................................................... 28
3.1.3 Horizontal and Vertical Control ......................................................................... 29
3.1.4 Accuracy ....................................................................................................... 30
3.1.5 Data Processing ............................................................................................. 30
3.1.6 Detail Topographical Survey ............................................................................ 31
3.1.7 Mapping ........................................................................................................ 31
3.1.8 Preparation of Tunnel Alignment map ............................................................... 31
3.1.9 River Cross Section and Profile......................................................................... 32
3.2 Hydrological Investigations .............................................................................. 32
3.2.1 Collection of Available Meteorological and Hydrological Data ................................ 32
3.2.2 Establishment of Gauging Station ..................................................................... 33
3.2.3 Water Level Recording and Flow Measurement ................................................... 34
3.3 Sediment Investigations ................................................................................. 34
3.4 Geological and Geotechnical Investigations ........................................................ 34
3.4.1 Collection of Available Data and Maps ............................................................... 34
3.4.2 Surafce Geological Mapping ............................................................................. 35
3.5 Construction Material Survey ........................................................................... 35
CHAPTER 4–HYDROLOGY AND SEDIMENT STUDY ......................................................... 36
4.1 Catchment Characteristics ............................................................................... 37
4.1.1 Basin Physiography ........................................................................................ 37
4.1.2 Metrological Information ................................................................................. 37
4.2 Reference Hydrology and Stream Flow Data ...................................................... 39
4.2.1 Reference Hydrology ...................................................................................... 39
4.2.2 Discharge Measurements ................................................................................ 42
4.3 Adopted Mean monthly flow............................................................................. 42
4.4 Flow Duration Curve ....................................................................................... 43
4.5 Flood Hydrology ............................................................................................. 45
4.5.1 Flow Data Generation ..................................................................................... 45
4.5.2 Flood Frequency Analysis ................................................................................ 45
4.5.3 Regional Flood frequency analysis using WECS-DHM Method ............................... 47
4.5.4 Adopted Design Flood ..................................................................................... 47
4.5.5 Design Flood for Powerhouse /tailrace site ......................................................... 49
4.6 Rating Curves ................................................................................................ 50
4.7 Diversion Floods ............................................................................................. 52
4.8 Low Flow Analysis .......................................................................................... 52
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4.9 Compensation Flow ........................................................................................ 53

4.10 Sedimentation Studies .................................................................................... 53
4.10.1 Himalayan Yield Techniques............................................................................. 54
4.10.2 Sediment Studies by KP Sharma and SR Kansakar ............................................. 54
4.10.3 Sediment Sampling ........................................................................................ 54
4.10.4 Laboratory Analysis ........................................................................................ 55
4.11 Conclusions ................................................................................................... 56
CHAPTER 5 - GEOLOGY AND GEOTECHNICAL STUDY .................................................... 58
5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 59
5.2 Regional Geology ........................................................................................... 59
5.2.1 Tibetan Tethys Himalaya ................................................................................. 59
5.2.2 Higher Himalaya ............................................................................................ 60
5.2.3 Lesser Himalaya ............................................................................................. 60
5.2.4 Sub-Himalaya (Siwaliks) ................................................................................. 61
5.2.5 Gangetic Plain ................................................................................................ 61
5.3 Geology of the Project Area ............................................................................. 61
5.4 Engineering Geology of Project Area ................................................................. 62
5.4.1 Headworks Area ............................................................................................. 63
5.4.2 Tunnel Alignment Area .................................................................................... 67
5.4.3 Surge Tank and Penstock Alignment ................................................................. 71
5.4.4 Power House and Tailrace area ........................................................................ 72
5.5 Rock Support Design ...................................................................................... 73
5.5.1 Q System ...................................................................................................... 73
5.5.2 Rock Mass Rating (RMR) ................................................................................. 74
5.5.3 Rock Support Estimation ................................................................................. 76
5.6 Construction Material ...................................................................................... 78
5.7 Seismicity ..................................................................................................... 79
5.7.1 General ......................................................................................................... 79
5.7.2 Seismo-tectonic structure of the Himalayas ....................................................... 83
5.8 Conclusion and Recommendations .................................................................... 89
CHAPTER 6–ALTERNATIVE LAYOUTS AND RECOMMENDED PROJECT LAYOUT ................... 91
6.1 Study of Possible Alternative Layouts for the Project ........................................... 92
6.2 Presentation of Recommended Layout .............................................................. 92
CHAPTER 7– PROJECT OPTIMIZATION ........................................................................ 93
7.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 94
7.2 Objectives and General Approach ..................................................................... 94
7.2.1 Hydrology ..................................................................................................... 96
7.2.2 Conceptual layout and cost Comparison ............................................................ 97
7.2.3 Range of Options and Energy Production ........................................................... 98
7.2.4 Result of Financial Analysis .............................................................................. 98
7.3 Conclusions ................................................................................................. 100
CHAPTER 8- PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND DESIGN ..................................................... 101
8.1 Design Basis ................................................................................................ 102
8.1.1 Headworks .................................................................................................. 102
8.1.2 Desanding Basin .......................................................................................... 106
8.1.3 Water way ................................................................................................... 106
8.1.4 Surge Shaft ................................................................................................. 108
8.1.5 Powerhouse and Tailrace ............................................................................... 111
8.2 General arrangement of Project Component .................................................... 112
8.3 Description of project Components ................................................................. 113
8.3.1 Headworks .................................................................................................. 113
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8.3.2 Water Conveyance: ...................................................................................... 115

8.3.3 Powerhouse Complex .................................................................................... 116
8.4 Generating Equipment .................................................................................. 117
8.4.1 Type, Number of Units and Unit Size Selection ................................................. 117
8.4.2 Powerhouse Mechanical Equipment ................................................................. 120
8.4.3 Powerhouse Electrical Equipment .................................................................. 131
8.4.4 Interconnection Point Switchyard and Transmission Line ................................... 145
8.5 Hydromehanical Works ................................................................................. 146
8.5.1 General ....................................................................................................... 146
8.5.2 Description of the Hydraulic Steel Structures ................................................... 147
CHAPTER 9–POWER AND ENERGY ............................................................................ 151
9.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 152
9.2 Plant Characteristics ..................................................................................... 152
9.3 Energy Definition ......................................................................................... 152
9.3.1 Dry season energy: ...................................................................................... 152
9.3.2 Wet season energy:...................................................................................... 153
9.4 Head Loss ................................................................................................... 153
9.5 Efficiency of the plant ................................................................................... 153
9.6 Energy and Power ........................................................................................ 154
CHAPTER10 - POWER EVACUATION STUDY ............................................................... 156
10.1 Scope and Objectives ................................................................................... 157
10.2 The Generation System ................................................................................. 157
10.3 The Transmission System .............................................................................. 158
10.4 Generation System Plan ................................................................................ 159
10.5 Substation ................................................................................................... 160
10.6 Transmission System Plan ............................................................................. 161
10.7 Load Forecast (2016/17 – 2024/25) ............................................................... 162
10.8 Transmission Route ...................................................................................... 162
10.8.1 Cost Estimate .............................................................................................. 162
10.9 Power Evacuation ......................................................................................... 163
10.9.1 Conductor Optimization................................................................................. 163
10.9.2 Evacuation .................................................................................................. 166
10.9.3 Transmission Line Route alternatives .............................................................. 166
CHAPTER 11 - CONSTRUCTION PLANNING AND SCHEDULING ..................................... 169
11.1 General ....................................................................................................... 170
11.2 Preparatory Works ....................................................................................... 170
11.2.1 Access Road ................................................................................................ 170
11.2.2 Construction Power ...................................................................................... 170
11.2.3 Construction Camps ..................................................................................... 171
11.2.4 Water Supply system .................................................................................... 171
11.3 Construction Scheduling of Individual Structures .............................................. 172
11.3.1 Diversion during construction and construction of weir and intake structures ....... 172
11.3.2 Desanding Basin and Tunnel Inlet portal ......................................................... 172
11.3.3 Headrace tunnel ........................................................................................... 172
11.3.4 Surge tank .................................................................................................. 173
11.3.5 Penstock excavation and Pipe installation ........................................................ 173
11.3.6 Powerhouse, tailrace and switchyard .............................................................. 173
11.3.7 Electro-mechanical Works ............................................................................. 174
11.3.8 Transmission line Works ................................................................................ 174
11.4 Material Handling ......................................................................................... 174
11.4.1 Construction Material and their handling ......................................................... 174
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11.4.2 Local Construction Material ............................................................................ 174

11.5 Other Construction material ........................................................................... 175
11.6 Contract Packages ........................................................................................ 176
11.7 Overall duration of the Project construction ..................................................... 176
CHAPTER 12–ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESEMENT STUDY ...................................... 178
12.1 Objectives and Term of Reference .................................................................. 179
12.2 Objective of Scoping ..................................................................................... 179
12.3 Project Area Delineation ................................................................................ 180
12.3.1 High Impact Area ......................................................................................... 180
12.3.2 Moderate Impact Area .................................................................................. 180
12.3.3 Low Impact Area .......................................................................................... 180
12.4 Existing Environmental Condition ................................................................... 181
12.4.1 Physical Environment .................................................................................... 181
12.4.2 Biological Environment ................................................................................. 182
12.4.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment ....................................................... 184
CHAPTER 13 – COST ESTIMATES ............................................................................. 185
13.1 General ....................................................................................................... 186
13.2 Criteria, Assumptions and Cost Components .................................................... 186
13.3 Estimating Methodology ................................................................................ 186
13.4 Civil works .................................................................................................. 186
13.5 Resource Costs ............................................................................................ 187
13.5.1 Transportation Costs .................................................................................... 187
13.5.2 Labour Rates ............................................................................................... 187
13.5.3 Construction equipment Rates ....................................................................... 188
13.5.4 Construction Material .................................................................................... 188
13.5.5 Unit Costs ................................................................................................... 189
13.5.6 Indirect costs ............................................................................................... 189
13.6 Civil Costs ................................................................................................... 189
13.6.1 Infrastructure works ..................................................................................... 189
13.6.2 General Items .............................................................................................. 192
13.6.3 Preliminary items ......................................................................................... 192
13.6.4 Cost of Civil Work ......................................................................................... 192
13.7 Hydro mechanical Works cost ........................................................................ 192
13.8 Electromechanical equipment cost .................................................................. 192
13.9 Transmission line ......................................................................................... 194
13.10 Engineering and Construction Supervision ....................................................... 194
13.11 Project Development Cost ............................................................................. 194
13.12 Land acquisition and Environmental mitigation cost .......................................... 194
13.13 Contingencies .............................................................................................. 194
13.14 Project Cost ................................................................................................. 194
CHAPTER 14 – PROJECT EVALUATION ....................................................................... 197
14.1 Financial Evaluation ...................................................................................... 198
14.2 Assumptions ................................................................................................ 198
14.3 Analysis Period ............................................................................................ 198
14.4 Project Benefits............................................................................................ 198
14.5 Construction Period ...................................................................................... 198
14.6 Repair and Maintenance Cost ......................................................................... 198
14.7 Depreciation ................................................................................................ 198
14.8 VAT ............................................................................................................ 199
14.9 Debt Equity ................................................................................................. 199
14.10 Interest Rate ............................................................................................... 199
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14.11 Loan Repayment Period ................................................................................ 199

14.12 Other Charges ............................................................................................. 199
14.13 Disbursement .............................................................................................. 199
14.14 Financial Analysis – Assumptions and Result .................................................... 199
14.15 Sensitivity Analysis (Project Cost with IDC) ..................................................... 201
14.15.1At Project Cost with 10% Cost Over-run
201
14.15.2 At 90% of project revenue ...................................................................... 202
14.15.3 Interest Rate Increased to 12%............................................................... 202
CHAPTER 15 – CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ................................................ 203
15.1 Technical Features........................................................................................ 204
15.2 Financial Features ........................................................................................ 205
15.3 Conclusions ................................................................................................. 206
15.4 Recommendations ........................................................................................ 206
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List of Tables
TABLE 3.1: POINT COORDINATES AND ELEVATION ...................................................... 29

TABLE 3.2: COORDINATES AND ELEVATION OF GROUND CONTROL STATIONS ................ 29
TABLE 3.3: METROLOGICAL STATIONS ....................................................................... 32
TABLE 3.4: TEMPERATURE DATA OF STATION NO 616 .................................................. 33
TABLE 4.1: THE GAUGING STATION NEAR THE BASIN .................................................. 39
TABLE 4.2: MEAN MONTHLY FLOWS BY MIP METHOD ................................................... 40
TABLE 4.3: MEAN MONTHLY FLOWS BY WECS METHOD ................................................ 41
TABLE 4.4: MEAN MONTHLY FLOWS BY MHSP METHOD................................................. 41
TABLE 4.5: MEASURED DISCHARGES AT MYAGDI INTAKE SITE ..................................... 42
TABLE 4.6: MEAN MONTHLY DISCHARGE FROM VARIOUS METHODS .............................. 42
TABLE 4.7:NUMERICAL VALUE OF FLOW DURATION CURVES ......................................... 44
TABLE 4.8 FLOWS COMPARISON AT HEADWORKS ........................................................ 47
TABLE 4.9: RECURRING FLOOD ESTIMATES AT POWERHOUSE/TAILRACESITE ................. 49
TABLE 4.10: DIVERSION FLOOD VALUES (M3/SEC) FOR DIFFERENT RETURN PERIODS ..... 52
TABLE 4.11: LOW FLOWS .......................................................................................... 53
TABLE 4.12: RESULTS OF SEDIMENT CONCENTRATION ................................................ 55
TABLE 5.1: ROCK QUALITY ESTIMATION OF ROCK BASED ON SURFACE MAPPING ........... 66
TABLE 5.2: ORIENTATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCONTINUITY OF ROCK AT INLET
PORTAL OF HEADRACE TUNNEL ................................................................................. 66
TABLE 5.3: ROCK QUALITY ESTIMATION OF ROCK BASED ON SURFACE MAPPING ........... 67
TABLE 5.4: ORIENTATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCONTINUITY OF ROCK AT
HEADRACE TUNNEL AROUND KHARA AREA ................................................................. 68
TABLE 5.5: ORIENTATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCONTINUITY OF ROCK AT
HEADRACE TUNNEL AROUND BASBOT (ADIT I) ............................................................ 68
TABLE 5.6: ROCK MASS CLASS AND ITS TENTATIVE REPRESENTATION ALONG THE HRT .. 69
TABLE 5.7: ORIENTATION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DISCONTINUITY OF ROCK AT SURGE
TANK AREA ............................................................................................................. 71
TABLE 5.8: RECOMMENDED ROCK SUPPORT IN THE HEADRACE TUNNEL (SUNUWAR, 2005),
(SPAN = 4 M, ESR = 1.6) .......................................................................................... 75
TABLE 5.9: CHAINAGE WISE PROJECTED ROCK MASS QUALITY ..................................... 77
TABLE 5.10: PREDICTED ROCK MASS QUALITY AND SUPPORT DESIGN FOR HEADRACE
TUNNEL .................................................................................................................. 77
TABLE 5.11: SUMMARY OF DIFFERENT SOURCES FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ......... 78
TABLE 5.12: RECURRENCE OF EARTHQUAKE IN NEPAL BETWEEN THE PERIOD 1994 AND
2000 (AFTER DMG, 2006). ........................................................................................ 82
TABLE 7.1:AVERAGE MONTHLY FLOWS ....................................................................... 96
TABLE 7.2: FLOW EXCEEDANCE DISCHARGE ............................................................... 97
TABLE 7.3: SUMMARY FOR DIFFERENT OPTIONS.......................................................... 98
TABLE 7.4: ESTIMATE OF COST ................................................................................. 99
TABLE7.5: SUMMARY FOR ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT OPTION ...................... 100
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TABLE 8.1: DETAILS OF PH OVERHEAD TRAVELLING CRANE: ...................................... 131

TABLE 8.2: PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS FOR GENERATORS ......................................... 132
TABLE 8.3: DATA FOR POWER TRANSFORMER ........................................................... 136
TABLE 8.4: DATA FOR AUXILIARY TRANSFORMER AND ISOLATION TRANSFORMER AT
UMIHP .................................................................................................................. 137
TABLE 8.5: DATA FOR DISTRIBUTION/ISOLATION TRANSFORMERS ............................. 137
TABLE 8.6: DETAILS OF 11KV POTENTIAL TRANSFORMER ........................................... 140
TABLE 8.7: DETAILS OF 11KV LIGHTNING ARRESTOR ................................................ 140
TABLE 8.8: DATA FOR GENERATOR CIRCUIT BREAKER ............................................... 141
TABLE 8.9: DETAILS OF 132KV SF6 BREAKER ............................................................ 145
TABLE 9.1:INPUT PARAMETERS AND ASSUMPTIONS FOR ENERGY CALCULATION ........... 152
TABLE 9.2:MONTHLY HEADLOSS .............................................................................. 153
TABLE 9.3: MONTHLY FLOW (M3/S) .......................................................................... 153
TABLE 9.4: MONTHLY DEEMED ENERGY ESTIMATE ..................................................... 154
TABLE 10.1: UNDER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: ....................................................... 159
TABLE 10.2: HYDROPOWER PROJECTS ON THE PIPELINES: ......................................... 160
TABLE 10.3: PLANNED SUBSTATIONS ....................................................................... 160
TABLE 10.4: PLANNED AND PROPOSED220 KVTRANSMISSION LINE PROJECTS ............. 161
TABLE 10.5: NEA’S LOAD FORECAST ........................................................................ 162
TABLE 10.6: TRANSMISSION LINE COSTS [KUS$/KM, EXCL. OF TAXES AND DUTIES] .... 162
TABLE 10.7: TRANSFORMER COSTS(MILLION US$ EXCL. TAXES AND DUTIES) ............. 163
TABLE 10.8: BAY COSTS (THOUSAND US$) ............................................................... 163
TABLE 10.9: CONTROL BUILDING COSTS .................................................................. 163
TABLE 10.10: TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTE ALIGNMENT OPTION ................................. 167
TABLE 10.10: ROUTE COMPARISION ........................................................................ 167
TABLE 11.1: POWER REQUIREMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION PURPOSE ............................. 171
TABLE 11.2: PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE FOR PROJECT .............................. 177
TABLE 12.1: DETAIL BREAKDOWN OF CAMP FACILITIES COST (US$) ........................... 191
TABLE 12.2: BREAKDOWN OF ELECTROMECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ................................ 193
TABLE 12.3: SUMMARY OF THE TOTAL PROJECT COST ................................................ 194
TABLE 14-1: FINANCIAL ANALYSIS – ASSUMPTIONS AND RESULT ............................... 200
TABLE 15.1: FINANCIAL INDICATORS OF THE PROJECT .............................................. 205
UM-IHP 17
List of Figures
FIGURE 2.1: PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE NEPAL HIMALAYA (AFTER DAHAL AND HASEGAWA,
2008) AND LOCATION OF THE UMIHP SITE ................................................................. 23
FIGURE 2.2: CLIMATOLOGICAL MAP OF NEPAL AND LOCATION OF PROJECT AREA ........... 24
FIGURE 4.1: CATCHMENT OF MYAGDI RIVER AT HEADWORKS ....................................... 38
FIGURE 4.2: LONG TERM MEAN MONTHLY FLOW COMPARISON ..................................... 40
FIGURE4.3: ADOPTED MONTHLY FLOWS FOR UMIHP .................................................... 43
FIGURE 4.4: FLOW DURATION CURVE ........................................................................ 45
FIGURE 4.5: COMPARISON OF FLOOD FLOWS AT HEADWORKS ..................................... 48
FIGURE 4.6: COMPARISON OF FLOOD FLOWS AT POWERHOUSE/TAILRACE SITE ............. 50
FIGURE 4.7: RATING CURVE FOR HEADWORKS SITE .................................................... 51
FIGURE 4.8: RATING CURVE FOR TAILRACE SITE ......................................................... 51
FIGURE 4.9: RESULT OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION ............................................... 55
FIGURE 4.10: AVERAGE MINERAL CONTENT IN SEDIMENT ............................................ 56
FIGURE 5.1: GEOLOGICAL MAP OF THE NEPAL HIMALAYA (AFTER UPRETI AND LE FORT,
1999) ..................................................................................................................... 60
FIGURE 5.2: GEOLOGICAL MAP OF THE PROJECT AREA. (DEPARTMENT OF MINES &
GEOLOGY) ............................................................................................................... 62
FIGURE 5.3: CONTOUR DENSITY DIAGRAM OF INLET PORTAL SITE. ............................... 65
FIGURE 5.4: STEREOGRAPHIC PROJECTION OF MAIN JOINT AT INLET PORTAL SITE. ....... 66
FIGURE 5.5: ROSETTE DIAGRAM SHOWING TUNNEL ALIGNMENT .................................. 69
FIGURE 5.6: CONTOUR DENSITY DIAGRAM (HEADRACE TUNNEL). ................................. 70
FIGURE 5.7: STEREOGRAPHIC PROJECTION OF DISCONTINUITIES (HEADRACE TUNNEL) . 71
FIGURE 5.8: STEREOGRAPHIC PROJECTION OF DISCONTINUITIES (SURGE TANK AREA) .. 72
FIGURE 5.9: NGI Q-SYSTEM FROM BARTON AND GRIMSTAD 1993 ................................. 75
FIGURE 5.10: EARTHQUAKE EPICENTER MAP OF NEPAL (DMG, 2006) ............................. 80
FIGURE 5.11: ACTIVE FAULTS OF NEPAL HIMALAYAS (ADOPTED AFTER UPRETI 2009) ..... 83
FIGURE 5.12: SEISMIC HAZARD MAP OF NEPAL ........................................................... 86
FIGURE 5.13: SEISMIC RISK MAP OF NEPAL ................................................................ 87
FIGURE 5.14: SEISMIC RISK MAP OF INDIA ................................................................ 88
FIGURE 8.1: OPTIMIZATION OF HEADRACE TUNNEL CONCRETE LINED ......................... 108
FIGURE 8.2: GENERAL LAYOUT OF HEADWORKS AREA ............................................... 114
FIGURE 8.3: OPTIMIZATION OF STEEL LINED PENSTOCK ............................................ 116
FIGURE 8.4: GENERAL LAYOUT OF POWERHOUSE AREA ............................................. 117
FIGURE 8.5: TURBINE SELECTION CHART ................................................................. 118
FIGURE 8.6: TURBINE GENERATOR ARRANGEMENT .................................................... 123
FIGURE 8.7: SPIRAL CASE AND DRAFT TUBE DIMENSION ........................................... 125
FIGURE 8.8: DISTRIBUTOR DIMENSION.................................................................... 125
FIGURE 9.1: MONTHLY ENERGY (GWH) ..................................................................... 155
FIGURE 10.1: CONDUCTOR OPTIMIZATION ............................................................... 164
FIGURE 10.2: RELATIONS USED FOR CONDUCTOR OPTIMIZATION .............................. 165
FIGURE 10.2: TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTE OPTION ................................................... 167
UM-IHP 18
Chapter 1- Introduction
UM-IHP 19
1.1 Background
Nepal is in a phase of sustainable economic development characterized by harnessing
its maximum hydropower potential. According to the annual report (2014) of Nepal
Electricity Authority (NEA), the present total installed capacity of hydropower is nearly
733 MW. Similarly, thermal plant is generating 53.4 MW of electricity along with less
than 1 MW of solar plants. At present, nearly 312 MW is deficit in the national demand
and Nepal is importing nearly 102 MW of electricity from India. Power demand is
gradually increasing at the rate of approximately 80 MW per year but production growth
is only 40 MW. In order to meet the increasing power demand in an efficient manner,
there is an urgent need to identify and promote lower to medium sized hydropower
projects that can be implemented at the earliest. Thus, NEA and Department of
Electricity Development (DoED) has been encouraging such project development
practice from private sectors for harnessing the water resources potential in a
sustainable manner.
Realizing the fact that, efforts from the Government of Nepal only, will not be sufficient
anopen and free policy has been adopted for expediting hydropower development with
private sector investment. Necessary laws and regulations including the Hydropower
Development policy (2001) has been proclaimed to encourage the Independent Power
Producers (IPPs) to build, own, operate and transfer hydropower project. In this
context, Upper Myagdi-IHydropower Project (UMIHP) was identified in MyagdiDistrict of
Nepal and now it is in development phase.
Upper Maygdi I Hydropower Project (UMIHP) located on the leftt bank of Myagdi River
is a run-of-river type project. It is located in Myagdi District of Westernl Development
Region of Nepal. The entire project area (i.e. intake to powerhouse and tailrace) is
located in Mudi, Muna, Takam, Marang, Darbang Village Development Committee (VDC)
in Myagdi District.
1.2 Objective and Scope of Work

The main objective of the present study is to prepare Feasibility report of the Upper
Myagdi I Hydropower Project which would provide the information necessary for its
implementation in the coming years. The present study focuses on project investigation
and design of the project components which can directly lead to project
implementation. The scope of the study is consistent with general requirement of a
feasibility study for a small run-of-river type hydropower project and includes the
following major activities.
UM-IHP 20
1. Data/Information collection and review of past studies

 Topographical mapping
 Geological mapping
 Update and collection of hydrological and sediment data
 Engineering geological mapping
 Identification of quarry sites for construction materials
2. Geo-technical investigations
3. Project layout and optimization
4. Project design and preparation of drawings
5. Compute power and energy
6. Construction planning, quantity and cost estimates and Project evaluation
7. Economic and financial analysis
1.3 Organization of Report

The feasibility study report has been organized into two volumes as follows:
 Main report (Volume I)
 Drawings (Volume II)
 Annexes ((Volume III)
The main report (Volume I) has following eleven chapters.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Description of Project Area
Chapter 3 Field Investigation and Data Collection
Chapter 4 Hydrology and Sediment study
Chapter 5 Geology and Geotechnical investigation
Chapter 6 Alternate layout and recommended project layout
Chapter 7 Project Optimization study
Chapter 8 Project Description and Design
Chapter 9 Power and Energy
Chapter 10 Power Transmission and Evacuation
Chapter 11 Construction planning and scheduling
Chapter 12 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Study
Chapter 13 Cost estimates
Chapter 14 Project evaluation
Chapter 15 Conclusion and recommendations
UM-IHP 21
Chapter 2- Description of Project Area
UM-IHP 22
2.1 Location
Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project is situated at Myagdi District, Western
Development Region. Beni is the headquater of Myagdi District. Project area lies about
330 km northwest of Kathmandu.Geographically the area lies between latitude 28° 27'
30" N and 28° 31' 10" N and longitudes 83°20' 44” E and 83° 23' 06" E.
2.2 Physical Features

2.2.1 Topography
Project area lies in the Lesser Himalayan region (Figure 2.1) and the catchment area of
project is 740sq km. Myagdi River is one of the tributaries of Kaligandaki River which
joins later at Beni of Myagdi district. Mudi River, Chaurban River and Kunaban River are
the main tributaries for source of water at intake area. Myagdi River originates from
Chhonbarban Glacier at an elevation of approx 3920 masl and flows towards south.
Chaurban River, Kunaban River and Mudi River joins Myagdi River later at around 3320
masl, 2520 masl and 1600 masl respectively. Maximum altitude of this river reaches up
to 8760m.
UMIHP Project Area
Figure 2.1: Physiography of the Nepal Himalaya (after Dahal and Hasegawa, 2008) and
location of the UMIHP site
2.2.2 Climate
Nepal experiences an exceptional climate variation owing to its steep gradient from high
Himalayas in north to plains in south. Five different climatic zones i.e.tropical, sub
tropical, temperate, alpine and tundra (Figure 2.2) have been classified from low land in
south to snow peaked Himalayas in north. The country as a whole receives most of
rainfall due to south-west monsoon, which arises from the Arabian Sea and passes
UM-IHP 23
through India before entering Nepal from eastern part during June-July. Difference
between the warm humid summer and the cold dry winter becomes more marked with
the change in the altitude. As the project area lies in the high altitude, the
catchmentarea experiences cool temperate to sub-arctic atmosphere. Like otherparts of
Nepal, this region is also influenced by the monsoon climate. Closest meteorological
station to the project site is Gujrakhani (Myagdi) located at Latitude 28°36' and
Longitude 83°13' at an elevation of 2513m. Relative humidity may be as high as 90%
during the wet season and as low as 40% during dry season.
UMIHP Project area
Figure 2.2: Climatological Map of Nepal and location of Project area
2.2.3 Geology
Area between Arughat and Borang lies in the Lesser Himalaya of Central Nepal,
consisting of quartzite, schist, and phyllitic schist. Structurally,Main Central Thrust
(MCT) is located towards north of the project area. Rocks in this area aredeformed due
to presence of thrusts and folds.
2.3 Accessibility
Highway from Kathmandu to Beni is 300km long black top road and further about 30
km from Beni to powerhouse isfair weatherd earthen road whichis the main access road
UM-IHP 24
from Kathmandu to the project site. Further, around 10km access road is to be
constructed to make headwork site accessible.
UM-IHP 25
Chapter 3–Field Investigation and Data Collection
UM-IHP 26
3.1 Topographical Survey and Mapping

Detailed topographical survey works were carried out in order to prepare topographical
maps of the proposed headwork site, headrace tunnel alignment, surge tank,
powerhouse and tailrace sites at appropriate scales required for structural layouts.
Detail topographic survey was conducted from 7thNovember, 2014 to 15thDecember,
2014. Following works were performed during that period:
 Detailed topographical survey was executed covering the area from Headwork to
tailrace by depicting all the physical and manmade features as existing at the
site. Unique features which might be useful for references later aredepicted.
 All the survey works were under taken using UTM grid co-ordinates and
elevations
 All the permanent control points are made significant with concrete pillars or on
the stable boulders by marking with enamel paint
 Closed traverse survey was carried out from the proposed sites covering
headworks, waterway and proposed powerhouse site.
 All the permanent ground control stations were marked on permanent boulders
and with cement concrete.
 Topographical maps of headworks site, tunnel alignment, powerhouse site and
tailrace sites are prepared in appropriate scales.
 River cross-sections at proposed headworks, powerhouse and tailrace sites are
taken and profiles plotted
3.1.1 Available Maps

Informations available for carrying out the feasibility study of Upper Myagdi-I
Hydropower Project are as follows:
i. Topographic Maps from the Department of Survey, Topographic Survey

Branch.
a) Scale :1:50,000
Sheet No : 2883 – 06
b) Scale : 1:25,000
Sheet No : 2883 – 10A
Sheet No : 2883 - 10B
UM-IHP 27
3.1.2 Surveying
A senior surveyor and his group carried out the detailed topographical survey of the
project area. All the datas necessary to determine the locations, coordinates and levels
were obtained by direct measurement in the field. To achieve the required accuracy and
standard,Total Stations with least count of 5” was used. Stepwise methodologies used
to conduct survey work are as follows.
 Desk Study
Prior to the field survey, desk study was carried out by using topographical maps (Scale
1:50,000 and 1:25,000) published by Government of Nepal, Survey Department.
Detailed information about the project area for the survey was noted. Finally all the
available plans, profiles and location maps prepared during the identification of study
wascollected.
 Reconnaissance survey
After finalizing the desk study, a team of multi-disciplinary experts were mobilized for
field verification. First step of survey was to reconnaissance the ground control stations
and detail topographical mapping around the project area.
 Monumentation of Control Points

Survey teams established sufficient survey stations in and around the project
components. Major control points were made of concrete withnail in the centre. Some
of the major control points were marked either by iron pin in the rock or fixed by cross
marks chiselled on the boulders. Chiselled marks were made conspicuous by enamel
paint. Altogether 11 permanent Station points were established at the project area,
among which 4 Station points, BM-3, BM-4, BM-5 and BM-6 were established at the
headworks site. Similarly 3 Station points BM-7, BM-8 and BM-9 were established at
Adit and Surge tank site and BM-1, BM-2, BM-1A and BM-2A were established at
powerhouse area. Description cards of each of the control points are given in digital
cad format.
 Control Traversing
Basic control traverse survey was carried out from GPS Co-ordinates Reading Survey
points at Maran Khola Suspension Bridge near Power House site with the following
value of coordinates and elevation. Details of point’s information are presented in
following Table.
UM-IHP 28
Table 3.1: Point Coordinates and elevation

S. No Station No Easting Northing Elevation
1 ST-01 (BM) 439802.00 3149080.00 1178.00
2 ST-02 (BM) 439747.191 3149096.43 1185.264
Table 3.2: Coordinates and elevation of ground control stations
S. N. Northing Easting Elevation Stn Remarks

1 3149147 439775.7 1211.578 BM-1 Power house site
2 3149284 439704.2 1193.389 BM-1A Power house site
3 3149412 439543.2 1191.861 BM-2 Power house site
4 3149444 439628 1184.885 BM-2A Power house site
5 3154562 436754 1347.703 BM-3 Headworks Site
6 3154625 436622.9 1351.544 BM-4 Headworks Site
9 3151293 437963.3 1251.525 BM-7 Adit Site
10 3151362 437948 1254.763 BM-8 Adit Site
11 3149551 439716.5 1273.593 BM-9 Surge Tank Site
3.1.3 Horizontal and Vertical Control

Control points were established by the traverse method. The traverse was conducted
along the Left bank of Myagdi khola and was then closed to the same station covering
the necessary area of the headworks and powerhouse sites.
Pentax Total Station with a least count of 5" was used for measuring horizontal and
vertical angles. One complete set of horizontal and vertical angles were observed during
the control traversing.
Horizontal Control
Mean angle and distance computation was checked precisely.

Angular closure was checked for closed loops.Azimuth was checked betweentraverse
points. Angular misclosures were adjusted, and∆X and ∆Y were computed for
planimetric closure.All closed traverse coordinates were measured and both reciprocal
observation were carried out for directional control and checked at regular intervals.
In the traverse survey,horizontal angles were observed in one complete round within a
mean of 15". Distance was measured in the fore and back sight directions and the
UM-IHP 29
mean distance adopted. Closing errors were distributed according the common survey
standards.
Altogether 39 control points were established in the first loop of main-traverse line,
7.03km in length. Different offset points were established wherever necessary around
the project area.
Vertical Control
Three sets of elevation readings (reciprocal reading) were observed to minimize the
index error for the ground control survey.Triangulation levelling method was run to
determine elevation accurately defining the position of all the ground control points
from head works to powerhouse site.
Computation of ∆h for each loop was checked, and all the loops were adjusted by the
Dell method so as to provide consistent heights for use in spot surveying.
Distance measurement was performed using Pentax total stations with standard
reflecting prism with an accuracy of 5mm ± 5ppm. Both back sighting and fore sighting
of direct distance were measured.Three complete sets of coordinates and elevations
were observed during the ground control survey. Three loop surveys was conducted
and adjusted as to provide consistent heights for use in spot surveying. Loop traverse
survey details are presented in Appendix A.
3.1.4 Accuracy
Closing errors were distributed according to common survey standards. Since, in all the
survey works, high accuracy survey instruments with a least count of 5" were
employed,accuracy in linear closing error in closed traverse is better than scale
1:10,000. Closing error is 0.015m in Northing, 0.010m in Easting and Elevation error is
0.029m for 7.03km of the main traverse line.
3.1.5 Data Processing

All survey data were computed in the field as well as in the Kathmandu office. Similarly,
some field data were evaluated and horizontal distances and elevations were calculated
reciprocally. All the coordinates and elevations of each station and survey point were
then computed with respect to the given UTM coordinates they are included in reports.
After completely checking the data entry, Autodesk Land Development Software was
UM-IHP 30
used for map and cross- section preparation. Finally, the topographic map was
prepared in AutoCAD format.
3.1.6 Detail Topographical Survey

All the required areas from headworks to powerhouse site were established by
permanently and temporarily marked ground control points, which were made to
proceed, do the topographic survey field report.
The terrain features were surveyed by means of spot surveying. Spot positions were
taken by tacheometric method from different traverse points. Inaccessible points like
rock faces, top of cliff, landslide edge etc. were sighted from at least two known points
reading both the horizontal and vertical angles. Features such as riverbanks, high flood
level, landslides, cliff, house, cultivated lands, roads etc were recorded.
3.1.7 Mapping
Detailed topographical mapping of headworks site, audit tunnel, surge shaft,
powerhouse and tailrace area were carried out in required scale. Plans, section and
maps were prepared in digital environment by exploiting the AutoCAD, Land
Development software compatible to AutoCAD 2010.
Proposed Headworks site Scale 1:1000

Proposed Powerhouse site Scale 1:1000
Proposed Adit and Surgeshaft site Scale 1:1000
Tunnel Alignment Project Map Scale 1:5000
3.1.8 Preparation of Tunnel Alignment map

For preparation of tunnel alignment map, digital data of topo sheet no, 2883-06
(1:50,000 scale) and 2883-10A and 10B (1:25,000 scale) was collected from Survey
Department. From GIS Software, required alignment area was selected from all the
digital data. Then a CSV file was created in order to make Digital Terrain (DTM) Model,
which consists of relief model and site model having X, Y, Z coordinates of each point.
After creating DTM, contours were generated to prepare the map with 5m contour
intervals. All the features were then transferred to the map and finally topographical
map of tunnel alignment area was prepared in 1:5000 scales with 5m contour intervals.
UM-IHP 31
3.1.9 River Cross Section and Profile

Cross-sections of the Myagdi Khola was taken to plot the river cross-sections for
computing the rating curves for the weir and powerhouse/ tailrace sites of the project
area. The sections were taken at interval of 50m.
3.2 Hydrological Investigations

3.2.1 Collection of Available Meteorological and Hydrological Data
a) Meteorological and Precipitation Data
There are some of meteorological stations established by the DHM around the Myagdi
basin. Meteorological stations near to the headworks area are given in Table 3.3.
Table 3.3: Metrological Stations

Station Index Lat Log Elevation Av ppt
S.N Type of station District
Name No. DD MM DD MM m Mm
1 Gurjakhani 0616 Climatology Myagdi 2836 8313 2530 1973
2 Baghara 0629 Precipitation Myagdi 2834 8323 2330 2862
3 Jomsom 0601 Climatology Mustang 2847 8343 2744 267.1
4 Thakmarpha 0604 Agrometeorology Mustang 2845 8342 2566 405
5 Tatopani 0606 Precipitation Myagdi 2829 8339 1243 1600
6 Lete 0607 Climatology Mustang 2838 8336 2384 1452
7 Bobang 0615 Precipitation Baglung 2824 8306 2273 2552
8 Darbang 0621 Precipitation Myagdi 2823 8324 1160 2220
9 Sanda 0625 Precipitation Mustang 2854 8341 3570 203.4
10 Bega 0626 Precipitation Myagdi 2828 8336 1770 2085
11 Kuhun 0627 Precipitation Myagdi 2823 8329 1550 1617
12 Muna 0628 Precipitation Myagdi 2830 8318 1970 2655
13 Beni 0609 Climatology Myagdi 2821 8334 835 1629
Annual precipitation and other relevant information of all these stations were taken
from "Climatologic Records of Nepal” compiled and published by the DHM. The average
precipitation calculated for the catchment at the intake site is 2336mm was computed
by Thiessen Method.
b) Climatological Records
Nearest meteorological station that records temperature is located atGurjakhani, Myagdi

District (index no. 616) which has an elevation of 2530 masl.
UM-IHP 32
Annual maximum temperature in the project area generally occurs in June which ranges
from 10.20C to 20.70C. Similarly, minimum temperature generally occurs in January
which ranges from -0.20C to 110C (Water Statistics and Information, KP
Sharma).Records of temperature data of station at GurjaKhani are listed in the table
below.
Table 3.4: Temperature data of Station no 616

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ann
Max 11 12.8 15.8 19.3 20.1 20.7 20.4 20.5 19.8 18.1 15.2 13.2 17.2
0
Temp C
Min - 0.7 2.3 4.1 7.3 10.2 12.5 12.5 12 10.3 4.8 1.8 0.8
0
Temp C 0.2
3.2.2 Establishment of Gauging Station

In January 2015, twogauging stations were installed at proposed intakeand powerhouse
area considering flow pattern, safety and access for recording. There is no additional
inflow in the river between the proposed headworks area and the gauging station.
Cross section was taken across the river at this location.Point marks in rocky cliff at the
left bank were made and gauging sheet was erected from the bottom of river bed.
Plate 3.1: Gauge installation and Hydrology team at Headworks (with gauge reader)
UM-IHP 33
3.2.3 Water Level Recording and Flow Measurement

Three consecutive discharge measurements were made during the present study. As
per the agreement,consulatant installed a staff gauge and regular gauge measurement
was made. Local villagerswere assigned to read the gauge height. Reader has been
trained to read and maintan the data at site.For flow measurement, stage height is
recorded twice a day (8:00 A.M. in morning and 5:00 P.M. in evening).
3.3 Sediment Investigations

Field investigation is vital to sediment study. Upper Myagdi is ROR project and the
importance of sediment studies is even more for it. Therefore, field investigations were
carried out for sediments too. Sediment wasmeasured in monsoon season of year 2015.
Measurement and sediment analysis work was given to Hydro Lab Pvt. Ltd. under a
separate contract. Analysis of the result has been presented in chapter Sediment
Studies of this report.
3.4 Geological and Geotechnical Investigations

Geological studies were carried out to establish the geological setting, determine
detailed geological and geotechnical conditions of the project area. The tunnel support
and tunnel construction cost is highly dependable on geological conditions of the
proposed alignment.
3.4.1 Collection of Available Data and Maps

The main objectives of the geological field investigations were to collect geological and
geomorphological information, measurements of discontinuities and shear zones,
identification of foundations condition, overburden condition, geo-technical properties of
rocks and soils and support types at various hydraulic structures. The findings of these
parameters were to be used in the evaluation of the technical feasibility of the
project.The following data and maps were collected to initiate geological and geo-
technical investigations:
 Geological map of Nepal (after Upreti and Le Fort, 1999)

 Geological map of western Nepal, scale 1:250000 (Department of Mines and
 Geology, 1984)
 Physiographic division of Nepal Himalaya
 Seismic risk map of Nepal (National Seismological Center, BCDP,1997)
 Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment Map of Nepal (Department of Mines and
 Geology)
 Epicentre Map of Nepal (Department of Mines and Geology)
UM-IHP 34
3.4.2 Surafce Geological Mapping

Information about regional geological features and structural geological conditions of
theproject area has been received from the desk study of the existing geological reports
andregional geological maps of the Western Nepal. Direct Observational Traverse
method wasadopted for recording geological information of the project area like
geological structure,rock type, rock quality, strength, weathering condition, surface
deposit and geomorphologicalfeatures. The inclination, dip and strike direction of joint
sets of the bedrockwere also measured in the field.
Selection of the layout of the project components such as diversion weir, tunnel inlet
portal, underground desander, tunnel alignment, surge tank, penstock alignment and
powerhouse location was done on the basis of geological and topographical condition of
the area.
Slope stability analysis of different structure area of the project was carried out on the
basis of aerial photo interpretation, geological observation and geological data analysis.
An analysis of the foliation plane to determine the stability of the rock mass at different
structure area of the project was done by using Lower Hemisphere Projection of the
foliation plane in Schmidt’s equal area net. The wedge formed by the planes was
analyzed with respect to the hill slope surface and tunnel alignment.
3.5 Construction Material Survey

The survey was carried out to find the potential availability of the construction materials
todetermine the quantity and quality of the construction material in the project area
andaround. The locally available materials identified at project sites are coarse
aggregate, fineaggregate and impervious materials. Most of the required quantities of
the local constructionmaterials are available around project area.
UM-IHP 35
Chapter 4–Hydrology and Sediment Study
UM-IHP 36
4.1 Catchment Characteristics

4.1.1 Basin Physiography
Myagdi River is one of the tributaries of Kaligandaki River which joins at Beni of Myagdi
district. Mudi River, ChaurbanRiver and Kunaban River are the main tributaries for
source of water at intake area. Myagdi River originates from Chhonbarban Glacier at an
elevation of approx 3920 masl and flows south. Chaurban River, Kunaban River and
Mudi River joins Myagdi River later at around 3320 masl, 2520 masl and 1600 masl
respectively. Maximum altitude of this river reaches up to 8760 m.
Catchment area measured from available topographical map at the proposed intake site
is found to be 665km². Length of the river (measured along Myagdi River) up to the
proposed headworks site is 31km. Division of area in different range of elevations is
given below.
Area above 5000m elevation 213 km²

Area between 3000- 5000m elevation 298 km²
Area below 3000m elevation 154 km²
Since powerhouse location is proposed at the left bank of Myagdi River (near the
confluence of Myagdi and Maran Khola), the catchment area at the powerhouse site of
Myagdi River is about 768km².Catchment basin of Myagdi River at headworks is shown
in Figure 4.1.
4.1.2 Metrological Information

Project area lies in the high mountain region of Nepal and the climate is dominated by
topographical variations. Catchment area experiences temperate climates and is also
influenced by the physiography of the region. Difference between the warm humid
summer and the cold dry winter becomes more marked with the change in altitude.
4.1.2.1 Precipitation Data
There are two meteorological stations in Myagdi River basin. One with Index No. 616 is
located at Gurjakhani (Lat. 28° 36' N; Long. 83° 13' E) at the elevation of 2530 m
above mean sea level, and the other with Index No. 629 at Baghara (Lat. 28° 34' N;
Long. 83°23' E) at the elevation of 2330m above mean sea level.Station at Baghara has
records of precipitation data only, whereas the station at Gurjakhani has climatological
UM-IHP 37
data including precipitation, temperature and relative humidity. Other information of the
precipitation stations are listed in Table 3.3.
Figure 4.1: Catchment of Myagdi River at Headworks
Average precipitation in the catchment area is calculated using available precipitation

records from the stations listed in Table 3.3. Thiessen polygon map is prepared from
the available precipitation data. Average precipitationcalculated from thiessen polygon
method in the catchment of Myagdi river at the intake site 2336mm, at the powerhouse
site is 2370mm and at Mangalaghat gauging station is 2319mm and in the catchment of
Modi river at Nayapul gauging station is 3028mm.
4.1.2.2 Temperature Data
Nearest meteorological station that records temperature is located atGurjakhani, Myagdi

District (index no. 616) which has elevation of 2530 masl.
UM-IHP 38
Annual maximum temperature in the project area generally occurs in June which ranges
from 10.20C to 20.70C. Similarly, the minimum temperature generally occurs in January
which ranges from -0.20C to 110C (Water Statistics and Information, KP Sharma).
Records of temperature data of station at GurjaKhani are listed in the Table 3.4.
4.2 Reference Hydrology and Stream Flow Data

4.2.1 Reference Hydrology
Department of hydrology and Meteorology has established a river gauging station in
several rivers all over Nepal. One of the station is installed inMyagdi River at
Mangalaghat(St Index 404.7). Catchment area of the river at this site amounts to 1075
km². Discharge measurement at different interval and daily water level records are
available since 1964. Data processing is carried out up to 2006. Mean monthly and
daily flows at Mangalaghat are available which can be prorated for the intake site.
Gauging station in Modi River at Nayapul(St Index 406.5) is also found to be

hydrologically similar to the catchment of MyagdiRiver at intake site as both the rivers
have nearly same catchment area, elevation ranges and shapes of the basin. Catchment
area of the river at this site amounts to 601 km². Also, both of the catchments are
snow fed.
For better hydrological analysis, stream flow data from two neighborhood gauging
stations are collected from latest DHM publication (DHM, 2008) for regional hydrology.
These data have been used with appropriate transposition factor to determine the
hydrologic design parameters of the project.
Table 4.1: The Gauging station near the basin

Gauge St. Station Name Drainage Area (km²)
404.7 Myagdi River at Mangalaghat Station 1075
406.5 Modi River at Nayapul 601
Reference hydrology for the project has been analysed from following methods. They
are:
 Catchment Area Ratio Method
 MIP (Medium Irrigation Project) Method
 HYDEST method (WECS-DHM Method)
 Medium Hydropower Study Project (MHSP) Method
UM-IHP 39
a) Catchment Area Correlation Method

Long term mean monthly flow in the river has been estimated by transposing available
discharge data from two of the rivers-Myagdi and Modi. The discharge data from
Myagdi river at Mangalaghat (St 404.7) and Modi River at Nayapul(Jhaprebagar, St
406.5) has been used to co-relate flows at Intake site. Transposition factor of 0.62 and
1.11 have been used to prorate monthly discharges at the intake and compared in
figure below.
250
200
Discharges (m³/s)
150
100
50
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Predicted flowfrom Myagdi data (St 404.7)

Predicated flow from Modi Data (St. 406.5)
Measured flow
Figure 4.2: Long term mean monthly flow comparison
b) Medium Irrigation Project

MIP method is based on regional regression analysis that separates the whole country
into seven geographic regions. This method presents the monthly flows as a ratio of the
flow in April. Project area lies in region three of the MIP Hydrological region. Monthly
flows havebeen derived based on measured discharge on date and flow ratio for this
region. Estimated monthly flows are presented in Table 4.2.
Table 4.2: Mean monthly flows by MIP Method

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Monthly Discharge 11.66 8.75 6.32 4.86 12.64 29.16 70.47 121.49 80.19 38.88 19.93 15.07
UM-IHP 40
c) WECS Method
Study is based on the flow records of DHM primary gauges from whole Nepal. This
method can be used for any un-gauged point of Nepal and requires catchment area and
the average monsoon rainfall over the basin. This method is used here mainly for the
purpose of cross-checking and verification. Flow results by this method are obtained
directly by the software called “HYDEST 2004” modified by DHM. Flow results are
presented in Table 4.3.
Table 4.3: Mean monthly flows by WECS Method

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Discharge 7.22 6.24 5.37 5.72 8.36 25.48 55.49 79.6 52.12 25.65 12.74 8.86
(m³/s)
d) MHSP Method
Medium Hydropower Study Project (MHSP) under NEA in 1997 developed a method to
predict long-term flows, flood flows and flow duration curves at un-gauged sites
through regional regression technique. MHSP method has been used to estimate mean
monthly flow series at the proposed intake site. Daily flows, maximum and minimum
instantaneous flows of 66 hydrometric stations obtained from the DHM are used in the
regression. Input variables are similar to those used in WECS/DHM method. This
approach uses both monsoon wetness index and average precipitation of the area along
with catchment area of the Khola.
As in HYDEST method, mean monthly flows at intake is computed using monsoon

wetness index of 1600 mm. Results from this method is presented in Table 4.4.
Table 4.4: Mean monthly flows by MHSP Method

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Avg
Flow (m³/s) 8.58 7.14 6.69 8.89 10.27 34.36 101.61 118.29 90.62 40.99 19.75 12.86 38.34
UM-IHP 41
4.2.2 Discharge Measurements

Discharge in MyagdiRiver is measured at various months as a verification of method
adopted for calculation of mean monthly flow. Measured discharges are in consistence
with adopted mean monthly discharges. Measured discharges at various months are
Table 4.5: Measured discharges at Myagdi Intake site

Measured flow Measurement
Year Remarks
(m³/sec) method
13 Jan 2015 11.89 current meter From Suspension Bridge
10 May 2015 23.37 current meter From Suspension Bridge
10 Feb 2016 11.45 current meter From Suspension Bridge
24 April 2016 13.71 current meter From Suspension Bridge
4.3 Adopted Mean monthly flow

Summary of predicted mean monthly flows at headworks from various methods is
compared in Table 4.6. As seen from table, the lowest monthly flow occurs in the
month of March. There are insufficient discharge measurements in Myagdi Khola to rely
fully on them, but they are useful for comparison with the other methods.
Table 4.6: Mean monthly discharge from various methods

Month Mean monthly flows at Intake site of Upper Myagdi HP (m³/s)
MHSP Hydest MIP Method CAR with Myagdi CAR with Modi
January 8.58 7.22 11.66 8.66 12.76
February 7.14 6.24 8.75 7.38 10.67
March 6.69 5.37 6.32 7.59 10.49
April 8.89 5.72 4.86 10.12 14.35
May 10.27 8.36 12.64 15.30 23.32
June 34.36 25.48 29.16 44.66 61.63
July 101.61 55.49 70.47 128.24 196.82
August 118.29 79.60 121.49 134.70 216.89
September 90.62 52.12 80.19 90.12 114.05
October 40.99 25.65 38.88 33.95 47.18
November 19.75 12.74 19.93 17.20 23.30
December 12.86 8.86 15.07 11.20 16.89
Average 38.34 24.40 34.95 42.43 62.36
Of these methods, mean monthly values computed from Catchment Area correlation
with data of Modi has been adopted. Basis for this adoption is due to following reasons.
UM-IHP 42
 Long-term daily flow data from 1964 to 2006 are available from Modi Khola.
Since the catchments of Myagdi and Modi has similar characteristics, the
discharges can also be used for long term flow analysis, mean monthly flow
estimation, low flow analysis and flood flow estimations.
 Measured discharges correlate with flow values computed from catchment area
correlation with Modi Khola.
Thus,mean monthly flows for Upper Myagdi-IHydropower Project at intake site istaken
as presented in Figure 4.3.
250
200
Discharge m3/s
150
100
50
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Figure4.3: Adopted Monthly flows for UMIHP
4.4 Flow Duration Curve

Flow duration curve (FDC) is a probability discharge curve that shows percentage of
time a particular flow is equalled or exceeded. Long-term flow series at intake of Upper
Myagdi-IHydropower Project (UMIKHP) is generated from catchment correlation.Flow
duration curve is derived from long-term series of generated monthly flow. Numerical
values of flow duration curve from different methods are presented in Table 4.7.
UM-IHP 43
Table 4.7:Numerical value of Flow duration curves
Probability of CAR
exceedance (m³/sec) No. of
(%) Monthly days Remarks
5 199.3 19
10 162.3 37
15 133.6 55
20 111.7 73
25 86.7 92
30 57.8 110
35 48 128
40 33.6 146 Q40%
45 26.3 165
50 23.5 183
55 20.2 201
60 17.8 219
65 16.3 238
70 14.5 256
75 13.3 274
80 12.5 292
85 11.9 311
90 10.9 329
95 9.4 347
Based on the annual flow duration curve, the lean flow (95 percentile) at the proposed
intake is obtained as9.4m³/s. The 40 percentile exceedence flow from the Flow
Duration Curve is obtained as 33.6m³/s. This Q40 discharge has been taken as design
discharge for the project. Adopted flow duration curves by Catchment correlation
method at Myagdi Intake site is presented in Figure 4.4.
UM-IHP 44
300.0
250.0
200.0
Discharge(m3/s)
150.0
100.0
50.0
0.0
0% 20% 40% 60%
% of Exceedence 80% 100% 120%
Figure 4.4: Flow Duration Curve
4.5 Flood Hydrology

Flood hydrology is one of the most important parameters to be considered during
design and sizing of various project components like dam, weir, intake, powerhouse,
tailrace etc. It is also equally important for river diversion during construction.
4.5.1 Flow Data Generation

Instantaneous peak flood values are available for gauging station at Nayapul
(Jhaprebagar) of Modi River from 1976 to 2006. These data are prorated to determine
instantaneous peak floods for the catchment of UMHP. Peak floods of different return
periods of Myagdi River are then determined by Flood Frequency Analysis Method and
Regional Flood Frequency Analysis Method.
4.5.2 Flood Frequency Analysis

Estimation of design floods for different return periods at intake locationIntake are
carried out by regional flood frequency analysis as described below.
Peak flood, QT is given by the relations:
QT = Mean Flood * Mean Flood ratio
Where, QT is the discharge for T yr. return period in m3/sec.
a. Gumbel Distribution
𝑄𝑇 = 𝑄 + 𝐾 ∙ 𝜎𝑛−1
UM-IHP 45
𝑌𝑇 − 𝑌𝑛
𝐾=
𝑆𝑛
𝑇
𝑌𝑇 = − 𝑙𝑛 ∙ 𝑙𝑛
𝑇−1
Where, 𝑄𝑇 = Discharge of T-yr Return Period
𝑄 = Average Discharge of Discharge series
𝜎𝑛−1 = Standard Deviation of Discharge series
𝑌𝑇 =
𝑌𝑛 =
T = Time Period
b. Log Pearson Type III distribution
𝑄𝑇 = 10𝑍𝑇
𝑍𝑇 = 𝑧 + 𝐾𝑧 ∙ 𝜎𝑧
𝑍𝑇 = Inverse of discharge variate
𝑧 = Mean value of the variate
𝐾𝑧 = Frequency factor depending on the return period
𝜎𝑧 =Standard Deviation of Discharge series
T = Time Period
c. Lognormal distribution
This method is similar to Log Pearson Type III except that the coefficient of skew
variate is taken as zero.
𝑄𝑇 = 10𝑍𝑇
𝑍𝑇 = 𝑧 + 𝐾𝑧 ∙ 𝜎𝑧
𝑍𝑇 = Inverse of discharge variate
𝑧 = Mean value of the variate
𝐾𝑧 =Frequency factor depending on the return period
𝜎𝑧 =Standard Deviation of Discharge series
T = Time Period
UM-IHP 46
4.5.3 Regional Flood frequency analysis using WECS-DHM Method

Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) in collaboration with DHM has
developed a method (HYDEST) for estimating Hydrologic Characteristics of un-gauged
location in Nepal. This method uses multiple regression method to estimate flood at the
un-gauged location of Nepal. Distribution used in this method is two-parameter log
normal distribution.
4.5.4 Adopted Design Flood
Design frequency of flood is determined with basic consideration of risk involved and
cost of minimizing that risk. Risk factor is dependent on type and size of structure,
volume of water impounded by it and extent of damage in the event of failure of the
structure, which depends on the population and property downstream of the structure
likely to be affected by the worst eventuality of the failure of the structure.
Comparison of the flood flows at intake using various approaches is presented in the
Table 4.8.
Table 4.8 Flows comparison at Headworks
Return Flood flow calculation (m³/s)
period Frequency Gumbel Gumbel Log- Log-Normal HYDEST MHSP
(yrs) Analysis Distribution graphical Pearson Distribution Method Method
Method Method method Type III
Distribution
2 520 554 520 548 543 174
5 793 817 793 668 666 299 158
10 999 991 999 928 934 397
20 1,158 1,204 1,051 1,066 502 239
50 1,477 1,374 1,477 1,258 1,295 653 299
100 1,683 1,536 1,683 1,396 1,453 778 351
200 1,889 1,698 1,889 1,535 1,615 914
500 2,161 1,911 2,161 1,650 1,752 1,109
1000 2,072 2,367 1,862 2,007 1,272 559
Proper assessment of design floods is very important in the design of hydraulic

structures. An over design of the structures makes the project costly and an under
design may result in failure of the structures risking to losses of lives and properties in
the downstream. Hence, proper analysis of flood frequency is essential.
UM-IHP 47
Standard project flood(SPF) is typically computed using hourly storm precipitation data
that is characteristic of the basin. Unfortunately such short term storm data is not
available for the basin or region. In place of the SPF, it was decided to use the 1 in 100
yr flood (Q100) determined by frequency analysis, which is of similar magnitude or
more conservative.
HYDEST method and MHSP approach gave relatively lower flood values with respect to
other methods. Therefore, these methods cannot be adopted for Myagdi River
catchment. Whereas Flood Frequency Analysis Method predicted nearly close flood
values to each other. While observing average values of results from these methods,
results computed from Log-normal distribution method are adopted for hydraulic design
of the headwork structuresas DHM has recommended in context of Nepal.
2,000
1,800
1,600
Flood Discharge (Q) m³/s
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
-
1 10 100 1000
Return Period (T) yrs
Frequency Analysis Method Gumbel Distribution method

Gumbel graphical method Log-Pearson Type III distribution
Log-normal distribution HYDEST method
MHSP method
Figure 4.5: Comparison of Flood flows at Headworks
UM-IHP 48
4.5.5 Design Flood for Powerhouse /tailrace site

Powerhouse site is located at the confluence of Myagdi River and Marang River. Flood
Frequency Analysis and Regional Flood Frequency Analysis has been carriedout of the
instantaneous flood peaks prorated from gauging station 406.5 at Nayapul
(Jhaprebagar) of Modi River. Summary of different method of estimation are presented
in Table 4.9.
Table 4.9: Recurring flood estimates at Powerhouse/TailraceSite
Return Flood flow calculation (m³/s)
period Frequency Gumbel Gumbel Log-Pearson Log-Normal HYDEST MHSP
(yrs) Analysis Distribution graphica Type III Distribution Method Method
Method Method l method Distribution
2 601 639 601 633 627 271
5 916 943 916 771 769 453 246
10 1,154 1,145 1,154 1,072 1,079 594
20 1,338 1,391 1,214 1,232 742 370
50 1,706 1,587 1,706 1,453 1,496 953 462
100 1,944 1,775 1,944 1,613 1,678 1,125 538
200 2,182 1,961 2,182 1,774 1,866 1,312
500 2,496 2,207 2,496 1,907 2,024 1,578
1000 601 2,393 2,734 2,151 2,319 1,797 849
UM-IHP 49
2,000
1,800
1,600
Flood Discharge (Q) m³/s
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
-
1 10 100 1000
Return Period (T) yrs
Frequency Analysis Method Gumbel Distribution method

Gumbel graphical method Log-Pearson Type III distribution
Log-normal distribution HYDEST method
MHSP method
Figure 4.6: Comparison of Flood flows at Powerhouse/Tailrace site
Recommended flood for the design of powerhouse and tailrace structures is 1678 m³/s
which is the 100-year flood predicted by Log-Normal Distribution Method.
4.6 Rating Curves

The flow depth and discharge relations have been developed using Manning’s equation
at different sections of theheadworks site and the powerhouse site. The rating curve is
generated both for the intake and powerhouse. The rating curves at the weir location
and the tailrace site have been shown in the Figure 4.7 and 4.8.
UM-IHP 50
5
4.5
4
3.5
Height (m)
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Discharge (m3/s)
Figure 4.7: Rating Curve for Headworks Site
3.5
2.5
Height (m)
1.5
0.5
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Discharge (m3/s)
Figure 4.8: Rating Curve for Tailrace Site
UM-IHP 51
4.7 Diversion Floods

Construction of a hydropower project requires diversion of river through a man-made
channel to pass the dryseason flood. This is a staged diversion that will be effective
during the dry season from November to May. Thus a flood frequency analysis is
required to determine the magnitude of floods for different return periods during that
period. For this, the frequency analysis of the extreme daily flood peaks is carried out
by log Pearson type III distribution and the results are presented in Table 4.10.
Table 4.10: Diversion Flood Values (m3/sec) for Different Return Periods
Return period (yrs) Construction Flood (m³/s)
10 47.04
20 52.85
50 60.35
A 20-year dry season flood has been adopted for river diversion works. Thus, the flood
value of 52.85m³/s has been adopted as diversion flood for headworks.
4.8 Low Flow Analysis

Low flow frequency analysis, also called drought condition, is carried out in hydrological
analysis to determine allowable water transfer, water withdrawals, future storage
condition, water quality management and minimum quantity of water to be released in
the downstream. So many hydrologists have systematically carried out extensive studies
on the extraction and diagnosis of hydrologic drought characteristics so far. Because of
unavailability of data,lowest flow of a particular year is considered as the minimum
instantaneous flow of that year.
Low flows are presented here in order to provide an insight into one of the important
hydrologic characteristics of the basin, the extreme flows. Although the frequency of
this extreme parameter may have impact on the long term energy generation, it is not
directly used in any aspect of the project design. Energy calculations are based on long
term average daily or monthly flows and not the low flow statistics. Low flows of
different return periods at the intake site of the project are determined by Regional and
Low Flow Frequency Analysis Methods. Regional Low Flow Frequency Analysis Method
is done by HYDEST Method whereas Low Flow Frequency Analysis Method is done by
Gumbel Distribution Method. Summary of floods from different methods of estimation
for different return periods are presented in table below.
UM-IHP 52
Table 4.11: Low flows

Return Period Low flow Discharge m3/s
Years HYDEST Gumbel Distribution
2 5.5 8.7
10 3.8 6.8
20 3.4 6.4
4.9 Compensation Flow

For the environmental purposes, it is mandatory to release 10% of river flows as
compensation flow for the benefit of downstream aquatic lives even during the driest
periods. Lowest discharge of Myagdi Khola is 10.49m3/sec. Thus, minimum of 1.049
m³/s is provisioned to be released downstream as an environmental flow.
4.10 Sedimentation Studies

As river sediments are insoluble particles carried by interaction of running water, soil
geological structure and vegetation cover, total amount of sediment carried by stream
flow is known as total sediment load of rivers and consists of suspended and bed
sediments. Fine and medium sediment load carried by flow is called as suspended load
and all coarse matter moving downstream and settled at the bottom is known as Bed
load (bed sediments). River sediments, deposited on the bottom of rivers, consist of
sand and gravel particles of different sizes.
Moreover river sediments consist of quartz grains obtained after rock crushing and
washing away of fine particles. In fact, quartz (SiO2) content is the predominating one.
The microscopic, thermo-graphic and/or X-ray structural analyses of sediment samples
show the presence of other mineral ingredients (feldspar, mica, magnetite, clay,
montmorillonite), etc., and rocks (igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic) in them.
When a water sample has been collected from the stream, the concentration of
suspended sediments is obtained through analysis. Bed load sediment sample is
collected from river bottom. Concentration is determined by mass (weight) analysis by
filtration of sediment sample using filter paper. Collected samples are dried at 105°C
and then weighed by means of precise analytical (mechanical or electronic) balance.
Total sediment load is calculated by measurement of river discharge and total
concentration of river sediments.
UM-IHP 53
4.10.1 Himalayan Yield Techniques

It has been established that the sediment yield from High Himalaya above Elevation
5000m, High Mountain between Elevation 3000 m to 5000 m, and Middle Mountain
below elevation 3000 m will be as 500 ton/km2, 2500 ton/km2 and 5000 ton/km2
respectively.
Catchment area of Myagdi River basin at the proposed intake site is 213 km2 in High
Himalaya, 297.9km2 in High Mountain and 153.9 km2 in Middle Mountain. Hence,
annual sediment yield will be 1,575,750 tons at the intake site. For the mean annual
discharge of 62.36 m3/s, this corresponds to a mean annual daily concentration of
about 824 parts per million by weight (ppm) at the intake site.
4.10.2 Sediment Studies by KP Sharma and SR Kansakar

K. P. Sharma and S. R. Kansakar (1992) have established an equation in order to
estimate the sediment load at river locations without observed sediment measurements.
A multiple regression equation was developed that related the physiographic and
climatologic conditions of 12 catchments in Nepal
Following is the regression equation:

Asy0.5 = -2.20992 + 0.05439* Arock0.5 + 0.0748*A20.5 + 0.05097*MWI0.5
Where,
A2 = catchment area below Elev. 2000m (20.9 km2)
MWI = monsoon wetness index of the region in mm (1,600 mm)
Asy = total annual suspended sediment yield in M tons
Arock = rocky area above Elev. 2000m (643.9 km2)
Hence, from the above equation, the total annual suspended sediment yield is about
2,405,588 tons which is equivalent to a mean annual daily concentration of about
1,223 parts per million by weight (ppm) at the intake site using the mean annual
discharge of 62.36 m3/s.
4.10.3 Sediment Sampling

Sample taking process was started from July, 2015 until September 30, 2015 for 90
days covering the monsoon period. All the samples were taken during the flood atleft
bank for suspended sediment analysis near by the intake site of Upper Myagdi-
IHydropower Project. Gauge readings were taken, two times a day, at 8 AM and 4 PM.
UM-IHP 54
4.10.4 Laboratory Analysis
a) Concentration Analysis
Collected samples were analyzed in Hydro Lab, Kathmandu. There were altogether 11
number of samples analyzed in the year 2015. Standard filtration method was used to
analyze the sediment concentration. Whatman filter paper was used for filtration
analysis.Computation of concentration data of the whole sampling period is shown in
Table 4.12
Table 4.12: Results of Sediment Concentration
S. Sampling date Sample Gauge Remarks
No. number Concentration height (cm)
(PPM)
1 2072/04/09 UM1 778 1.98
2 2072/04/12 UM2 650 1.99
3 2072/04/18 UM3 577 3.67
4 2072/04/22 UM4 744 3.68
5 2072/04/25 UM5 5,195 3.82
6 2072/04/28 UM6 4,573 3.18
7 2072/05/01 UM7 978 3.89
8 2072/05/07 UM8 1,219 3.73
9 2072/05/10 UM9 248 3.82
10 2072/05/13 UM10 319 3.81
11 2072/05/16 UM11 184 3.61
b) Particle Size Distribution (PSD) Analysis

Particle size distribution (PSD) was carried out in Hydro Lab. Altogether11samples were
analyzed for particle size distribution (PSD) in each month. Figure 4.6 shows the
graphical result of PSD analysis.
Figure 4.9: Result of Particle Size Distribution
UM-IHP 55
c) Mineral Content Analysis

Altogether in an average of 15 samples collected in different dates were analysed
byusing the binocular microscope. Analysis was done by calculationg each month for
mineral concentration. Figure 4.9 shows the graphical presentation of the minerals of
the suspended sediments sample for the year 2015. Average content of Quartz, Mica
and Feldspar are 57%, 12 % and 5% respectively.
Minerals
Others
26%
Mica Quartz
12% 57%
Feldspar
5%
Figure 4.10: Average Mineral Content in Sediment
4.11 Conclusions
Following pertinent data hasbeen recommended for feasibility study of Upper Myagdi-I
Hydropower Project.
 Since the long term flow data of intake location is not available, mean monthly
and daily flows have been derived from the data of adjacent gauging station
established by the DHM and compared with the flow generated from the gauging
station near the intake area.
 The flows generated from the gauge readings are a little bit on higher side than
that generated from other three methods. This is primarily due to high snow
contribution and high rainfall intensity in Myagdi catchment. Therefore, the flows
generated from gauge readings are acceptable and recommended for the design
of project.
 As there is no record of instantaneous flood flows at the intake area, the data
have been generated from the DHM’s gauging station in the Modi River at
Nayapul (Jhaprebagar) and the flood values are calculated by different statistical
distribution methods recommended by the DHM. Results are quite closer to each
UM-IHP 56
other and it is recommended to adopt the value from log normal distribution for
further analysis and design although as DHM recommends in the context of
Nepal.
 Flow duration curves are developed based on data generated from correlation
with Chepe Khola. The discharge at 40% probability of exceedance for Upper
Myagdi Khola at the proposed intake is computed as 33.6 m³/sec.Q40 discharge
of 33.6m³/s is taken as design discharge for Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower
Project.
 At least 10% of the driest flow shall be released downstream to maintain the
river ecosystem
 To be in safe side, it is recommended to consider 1 in 20 years dry flood to
design the cofferdam.
 Flow measurement, daily gauge reading and sediment sampling should be
continued even after the feasibility study and flow data should be revised prior to
detail design of the project.
 Maximum sediment concentration (5195 PPM) was obserbed on 10August 2015.
 Average content of Quartz, Mica and Feldspar are 57%, 12 % and 5%
respectively.
UM-IHP 57
Chapter 5 - Geology and Geotechnical Study
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5.1 Introduction
Main purpose of the study is to obtain information on regional geology of the project
area, to study detail geological condition of the locations of proposed project structures,
to prepare detailed engineering geological map (1:1,000), to carry out Rock Mass
Classification using “RMR” and “Q” systems for the design of the structures, to assess
the slope stability of the project area including especially the tunnel alignment, to
propose the support system of the tunnel alignment, to carry out construction material
survey.
5.2 Regional Geology

Proposed Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project belongs to the rocks of the Lesser
Himalaya, Central Nepal Himalaya, and south of the Main Central Thrust (Figure 5.1).
The MCT separates the rocks of the Higher Himalaya and Lesser Himalaya. The rock of
the Lesser Himalaya (Ranimatta Formation, Midland Group of DMG, 1987 equivalent to
the Kuncha Formation, Lower Nawakot Group of Stocklin and Bhattarai, 1977).This area
is mainly composed of intercalation of Phyllite, schist and quartzite.
Geologically, Nepal Himalaya is divided into five major zones, from north to south. A
brief summary of this zone follows in order to provide the background information
about regional geological condition of the project site.
5.2.1 Tibetan Tethys Himalaya

It consists of fossiliferous Paleozoic and Mesozoic calc-sedimentary rock sequence.
Tibetan Tethys Unit is exposed in only fewer places within the territory of Nepal, while
the other four units are distributed from east to west throughout the country. Tibetan-
Tethys Zone begins at the top of the Higher Himalayan Zone and extends to the north
in Tibet. This zone composed of sedimentary rocks such as shale, limestone and
sandstone.
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Proposed Upper Myagdi IHEP
Figure 5.1: Geological map of the Nepal Himalaya (after Upreti and Le Fort, 1999)
5.2.2 Higher Himalaya

Geologically, the Higher Himalayan Zone includes the rocks lying north of the Main
Central Thrust (MCT). Two sub-units namely Higher Himalayan Crystalline and Tibetan
Sedimentary Zone are identified in Higher Himalayan Zone. This zone consists of an
approximately 10km thick succession of crystalline rocks.Higher Himalayan Crystalline
zone comprises mainly Precambrian high-grade metamorphic rocks such as kyanite-
silliminite-bearing gneisses, schists, quartzite and marbles form the basement of this
zone. Migmatites and Granites are found in the upper part of this zone.Higher
Himalayan Crystallines are underlain by fossiliferrous Tibetan Sedimentary Zone. This
zone is composed of fossiliferous sedimentary rocks, such as shale, limestone, slates
and sandstone, ranging in age from Lower Paleozoic to Mesozoic.
5.2.3 Lesser Himalaya

Lesser Himalayan Zone is characterized by a broad belt of folded and faulted
Precambrian to Pliocene rocks developing a number of thrusts and napes. It is
separated from the Higher Himalayas by the MCT in the north and from the Sub
Himalayas by the MBT in the south. Lesser Himalayas are mostly comprised of
unfossiliferous, sedimentary, and metasedimentary rocks such as slate, phyllite, gneiss,
schist, quartzite, limestone, dolomite, etc. There are also some granitic intrusions in this
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zone. Lesser Himalaya is divided into the Midland and Surkhet Groups. The total
thickness of the Midland Group is about 8 km. This group comprises four formations,
which consist of phyllite, dolomite, and metasedimentary rocks.
Ranimatta Formation is comprised of alteration of greenish grey, crenulated phyllite and

grey to greenish grey, fine-grained quartzite. This formation attains more than 3 km
thickness.
Naudanda Quartzite is represented by presence of thick-bedded, white, coarse-grained

quartzite with frequent ripple marks. Total thickness of the litho unit is 400 m.
Ghanpokhara Formation has grey metasandstone intercalates with dark grey phyllite
and dolomite. Total thickness of the litho unit is 800 m.
Ulleri Formation is characterized by presence of augen gneiss. The thickness of the

formation is 500 m.
The project area is located in this zone.
5.2.4 Sub-Himalaya (Siwaliks)

Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) bound this zone on the south and the Main boundary
Thrust (MBT) on the north. This zone generally comprises of north dipping sedimentary
rocks of the Neogene age. Lower Siwaliks consists of finely laminated, siltstone,
sandstone, and mudstone. Middle Siwaliks are comprised of medium to coarse-grained
sandstones. The Upper Siwaliks are comprised of conglomerate and boulder beds.
5.2.5 Gangetic Plain

Gangetic Plain forms the southern fringe of Nepal Himalaya which consist mainly of
alluvial deposits of Pleistocene to recent age are derived from the erosion of sediments
from the Himalayas. This zone is separated from the Sub-Himalayas by the Himalayan
Frontal Thrust (HFT) and is the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic plain to the south.
5.3 Geology of the Project Area

Proposed project area lies in the Ranimatta Formation of the Lesser Himalaya, Central
Nepal. This formation is comprised of the thick-bedded, fine-grained, and grey to
greenish grey schist and phyllite intercalated with fine to medium grained, grey to
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greenish grey quartzite. Dip directions of rocks ranges from 340° to 010° (northwest to
northeast) with dip amount ranging from 25° to 50° Figure 5.2
Left bank of Myagdi Khola within project area has mostly exposed bedrock and thin to
thick colluvial deposit. Exposed rockarephyllite and phyllite with quartzite makes
exposure on both bank at weir area. Proposed settling basin lies on alluvial terrace
deposit. Proposed tunnel alignment encounters different lithology as passes through
mostly phyllite, schist, and occasional bands of thin to thick quartzite. Proposed
structures; surge tank, penstock, powerhouse and tailrace lies on phyllite and schist
with quartzite intercalation.
Project Area
Figure 5.2: Geological Map of the Project area. (Department of Mines & Geology)
5.4 Engineering Geology of Project Area

Project geology has been thoroughly investigated in this study. Based on the previous
study report and present study, detail engineering geology regarding the different
components of the project layout is described hereunder.
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5.4.1 Headworks Area

5.4.1.1 Diversion Weir
Proposed weir axis is located at about 100 m downstream from the confluence of
Myagdi Khola and Mudi Khola (Plate 1). Rocks are exposed in both banks except
riverbed. Exposed bedrock in steep slope of Myagdi Khola is fine grained, grey to
greenish grey phyllite with quartzite intercalation. Quartz veins are present in the
exposure with deformed boudin structures. The rocks are thick to massive, medium
hard and moderately weathered.
Plate 5.1: Location of Head works area

Dipping of foliation is in northeast direction with dip amount ranging from 35° to 50°.
The other two prominent joint sets dip towards southwest and northwest at average of
70° to almost vertical. The joints are mostly tight occasionally slightly open, smooth,
planer, moderately spaced with moderate persistence. Intake area lies in recent
alluvium deposit.
Rock Mass Classification using CSIR classification has been carried out in the vicinity of
the headworks area which gave the RMR values in the range of 42 to 64. Thus, the rock
can be classified as fair to good rock.
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S.No. Dip/Dip Joint Sets

Direction
1. 45/050 Foliation plane
2. 82/315 J1 (Joint)
3. 68/230 J2(Joint)
4. 75/140 J3 (Joint Random)
5. 40/310 Natural Slope Face
Left Bank
5.4.1.2 Intake/Inlet Portal
Due to steep topography all the structures of headworks are proposed underground.
Inlet portal/ Intake lie at the left bank of the Myagdi River (Plate 5.2). The area consists
of thick to massive, fresh to slightly weathered, greyish grey to grey medium strong
phyllite with quartzite having three 3 sets of major joints. A detailed discontinuity
survey was carried out in several directions on the different rock exposures around the
headworks area. Around 50 joint measurements were collected from the rock
exposures. The detailed joint mapping revealed mainly three sets of joint along the
tunnel with some random sets. The joints are tight to moderately open, moderately
spaced, continuity less than 5 m, rough, irregular and occasionally smooth and filling
materials as sand, silt and few are free of filling materials.
The statistical analysis of major joints has been analyzed and projected in lower
hemisphere of stereo net .Lower hemisphere stereographic projection in equal angle
net of measured discontinuities from headworks area is shown in Figure 5.3 and Figure
5.4. The stereographic projection shows wedge failure between J1 and J2 with respect
to natural hill slope (45/320) which is also reflected in the topography of left bank of
Myagdi Khola within project area.
Rock quality is estimated and presented in Table 5.1. The value of Jn (joint set number)
is taken double to calculate the Q-value for the portal.
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Plate5.2: Quartzite with phyllite / schist rock outcrop at inlet portal
Fisher
Concentrations
% of total per 1.0 % area
0.00 ~ 2.50 %
2.50 ~ 5.00 %
5.00 ~ 7.50 %
7.50 ~ 10.00 %
10.00 ~ 12.50 %
12.50 ~ 15.00 %
15.00 ~ 17.50 %
W E 17.50 ~ 20.00 %
20.00 ~ 22.50 %
22.50 ~ 25.00 %
No Bias Correction
Max. Conc. = 20.1144%
Equal Angle
Lower Hemisphere
50 Poles
50 Entries
Figure 5.3: Contour Density Diagram of Inlet Portal Site.
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Orientations
ID Trend / Plunge
1 174 / 46
4
3 2 285 / 20
1 3 041 / 17
4 321 / 15
W E
2
3 4
Friction Angle Equal Angle

Lower Hemisphere
50 Poles
50 Entries
Figure 5.4: Stereographic Projection of Main Joint at Inlet Portal Site.
Table 5.1: Rock quality estimation of rock based on surface mapping

Classification System Rating Rock Class
RMR 41-60 Fair to Good rock
Q value 1-3 Poor to Fair rock
Table 5.2: Orientation and characteristics of discontinuity of rock at Inlet portal of headrace
Tunnel
Descriptions Ex- Foliation Joint Joint (J1) Joint(J2)

Orientation dip/dip dir 45º/355º 70º/100º 74º/221º
Spacing (cm) 30-150 50-200 100-150
Aperture (mm) <5 >5 >5
Roughness Filling Planar Rough Planar Rough Planar Rough
Filling Rock fragment Rockfragment, Rock fragment
Open
Weathering Moderate Moderate Slight to Moderate

Persistence (m) >6 <5 <3
Water Dry Dry Dry
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5.4.1.3 Approach Tunnel and Settling Basin
Underground settling basin is proposed on left bank of Myagdi River due to the
unavailability of space on surface. Desander is located about 100m downstream from
the proposed intake site. Two caverns for desanding basin are proposed and the
caverns are connected with the portals by means of approach tunnel. Geologically, the
basin area also lies in the rocks of the Ranimatta Formation of the Midland Group.
Intercalation of fine-grained, grey quartzite; grey phyllitic schist and phyllite is present
in the location. Surface over the desanding basin is covered by thin recent colluvial
deposits.Rock mass classification is presented in Table 5.3.
Table 5.3: Rock quality estimation of rock based on surface mapping

Classification System Rating Rock Class
RMR 45-55 Fair to Good rock
Q value 2-6 Poor to Fair rock
5.4.2 Tunnel Alignment Area

About 5500mlong and 4.0m dia headrace tunnel (HRT) is the water conveyance system
of the project.HRT will likely to pass through major portion of phyllite with quartzite
rocks beginning from the inlet. Downstream stretch of the alignment, then, passes
through phyllite, schist and quartzite. Phyllite/schist of the stretch are fine to medium
grained, grey to greenish grey, weak to medium weak, slightly to moderately
weathered. Quartzite is fine to medium grained, grey to greenish grey, strong, slightly
to moderately weathered. Geological cross section along the tunnel alignment
(Referring longitudinal section of tunnel alignment UMIHEP-GE- 08 in Vol. II).However,
several thin bands of shear zones are observed within the Phyllitc Quatrzite at some
locations along the tunnel alignment. Exact thickness of these shear zones can be
traced only after the tunnel excavation. No other major structures such as fault and
thrust are noticed in the tunnel section.
In general, the rock along the tunnel is considered to be weak to medium strong in
strength. The rock is hard with expected to be intact compressive strength in the range
of 50-150 MPa. The rock is slightly to moderately weathered. The rock is exposed
mainly in the small streams and at higher elevation in the form of steep cliff along the
tunnel route. Bedrock is mostly covered by thick to very thin veneer of colluvial deposit
along the tunnel alignment. No major faults and thrusts crossing the tunnel are noticed
during the present mapping however several thin bands of shear zones are noticed in
the tunnel route mainly along the tributaries. This zone is categorized as poor rock,
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which is to be supported properly with concrete lining. The mapping in the river
sections and hill slopes were projected to the tunnel horizon in order to produce the
required geological information along the tunnel route. The geological condition along
the tunnel alignment is mainly based on surface mapping.
Properties of discontinuities measured at the outcrops along the surface of tunnel

alignment are tabulated below (Table 5.4& Table 5.5). Presently the characteristics of
the discontinuities at the HRT are inferred on the basis of the observed discontinuities
on the outcrops which might also be differing in actual underground situation.
Table 5.4: Orientation and characteristics of discontinuity of rock at headrace tunnel around
Khara area

Spacing (cm) 30-150 20-200 100-200
Roughness Filling Planar Rough Undulating Rough Planar Rough
Filling Silty Clay Rock fragment Rock fragment
Weathering Moderate Slight to Moderate Moderate
Persistence (m) >6 <5 <3
Water Dry Dry Dry
Table 5.5: Orientation and characteristics of discontinuity of rock at headrace tunnel around
Basbot (Adit I)

Spacing (cm) 20-100 50-75 50-150
Roughness Filling Undulating rough Undulating Planar
Rough Rough
Filling Silty Clay Silty Clay Silty Clay
weathering Slight Slight to Moderate
Moderate
Persistence (m) >6 >3 <3
Water Dry Dry Dry
Based on surface mapping, HRT is found passing oblique to the major discontinuity and
is likely to passes bisecting the discontinuities along its way as shown in the rosette
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diagram below (Figure 5.5). Such relation of tunnel axis to the discontinuities is
favorable for tunneling works.
Figure 5.5: Rosette diagram showing tunnel alignment
The rock mass quality that may represent the rock quality along headrace tunnel is
based on Rock Mass Rating and Q-system. Tentative projected rock mass quality with
respect to the dimension of structure depicted in the geological cross section is
Table 5.6: Rock mass class and its tentative representation along the HRT
S.N Rock mass class Length Percentage Q value RMR
1 Fair to Good 800 14 5-10 42-62
2 Fair 2100 37 4-8 45-55
3 Poor 1550 27 1-3 35
4 Very Poor 800 14 0.2-1 15
5 Extremely Poor 450 8 <0.1 <10
The tunnel covers about 20% fair to good rock mass and 35% of fair rock mass. The
rest 25% is expected to cover by poor rock mass. The very poor rock mass is estimated
to be about 15% and 5 % as extremely poor rock mass of the tunnel length which
needs concrete lining along with steel ribs. The poor section will be treated with
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concrete lining only. It is recommended that all the non pressure tunnel section with
good and fair rock mass will have fibre shotcrete lining (10 cm thick) only and all the
pressure tunnel section will need fibre reinforced shotcrete (10 cm thick for fair rock
mass and 15 cm thick for poor to very poor rock mass) along with 30 cm thick concrete
lining. The set ribs are recommended for very poor rock mass. The rock classification is
based on surface geological mapping along the tunnel route and more detailed
geological condition will be achieved only after the excavation of the tunnel section.
The contour density diagram and stereographic projection of main joints for the
headrace tunnel are shown in Figure 5.6& Figure 5.7.
Figure 5.6: Contour density diagram (Headrace Tunnel).
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Figure 5.7: Stereographic Projection of discontinuities (Headrace Tunnel)
5.4.3 Surge Tank and Penstock Alignment

Topography of the area makes the surge shaft insemi underground. Lithology of the
area is Phyllite and schist with quartzite intercalation. The phyllitic schist is greenish
grey to grey in color with medium weak strength. Quartzite is fairly strong rock and has
grey color. The thickness of the discontinuities varies from 20 cm to 2 m. The joints
have 0.1 to 1 mm separation with moderate persistence. The joint surfaces are slightly
rough, slightly to moderately weathered with no filling. The RMR values vary between
42 and 60. The rock mass of the surge tank is defined as fair rock. Surface penstock is
provided in mostly colluvium deposit and bed rock.
Table 5.7: Orientation and characteristics of discontinuity of rock at Surge Tank area
Spacing (cm) 20-200 25-150 50-200
Aperture (mm) 0.1-1 >5 <5
Roughness Filling Slightly Rough Undulating Rough Planar Rough
Filling Silty Clay Silty Clay Silty Clay
Weathering Slight Moderate Moderate
Persistence (m) >2 2-4 1-3
Water Dry Dry Dry
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Statistical analysis of major joints in the surge tank has been analyzed and projected in
lower hemisphere of stereonet. The analysis gives the following major joint sets. The
stereographic projection of main joints is shown in Figure 5.8. Analysis shows that there
is no any stability problem will occur around surge tank area
S.No. Dip/Dip Direction Joint Sets

1. 35/015 F (Foliation Joint)
2. 85/290 J1 (Joint)
3. 55/185 J2 (Joint)
4. 48/256 J3(Joint Random)
5 40/250 Hill slope
Orientations
ID Trend / Plunge
1 192 / 54
2 110 / 04
1:FP
3 004 / 35
4 072 / 50
1 m 048 / 72
Friction Angle
W 2:J1 E
4:HS
3:J2
Equal Angle
Lower Hemisphere
4 Poles
4 Entries
Figure 5.8: Stereographic Projection of discontinuities (Surge tank area)
5.4.4 Power House and Tailrace area

Surface Powerhouse is proposed on the left bank of Myagdi Khola about 30m upsrtream
from confluence of Maran and Myagdi Khola. The surfacial deposit in the powerhouse
area is mainly alluvial terrace and minor colluvial deposits. The deposit consists mainly
of sub-angular to sub rounded few angular boulder to gravel sized rock fragments of
schist, gneiss and quartzite in sandy - silty matrix with little fines. Maximum size of
boulders upto 2.5m are lying on the terrace of powerhouse site. Thickness of the
alluvial deposit is estimated to be more than 5m. Tairace area lies in recent alluvium
deposit.
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5.5 Rock Support Design

In the present context the rock support design is carried on the basis of rock mass
quality observed on surface outcrops, rock strength data referring from the core
samples and other assumed values of relevant engineering properties. The rock mass
classification along headrace tunnel, settling basin is made on the basis of surface
manifestation of rock discontinuities; hence it can vary in-situ at structure grade. The
rock mass classification had been done following different rating systems which are
discussed below.
5.5.1 Q System
Rock mass classification NGI Q-System (simplified from Grimstad and Barton, 1993
Figure 5.10) is one of the popular methods to classify the rock mass quality. In this
system the rock tunneling index Q-value is the key parameters in the estimation of rock
support. This Q – System considers six different parameters. The assessment of the
rock mass quality, Q, was done by rating of the six parameters.
Q= RQD/Jn* Jr/Ja*Jw/SRF,
Where,
RQD= Rock quality designation
Jn= Joint set number,
Jr= Joint roughness number
Ja= Joint alteration number,
Jw= Joint water reduction factor
SRF = Stress reduction factor
Barton’s rock support chart also incorporates equivalent excavation dimension, which is
the ratio between the span or height of an underground opening and an excavation
support ratio (ESR). ESR mainly reflects degree of safety and support demand by an
underground opening. For water tunnels, shafts and penstock tunnels an ESR of 1.6 is
defined.
Barton et.al (1980) provides additional information on rock bolt length. The length L of
rockbolts can be estimated from the excavation width B and the Exacavtion Support
Ratio (ESR):
L = 2+ 0.15B
ESR
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Therefore by the above equation length of rock bolt for headrace tunnel in Upper
Myagdi I HEP comes 1.6 ̴ 2m.
5.5.2 Rock Mass Rating (RMR)

The System RMR developed by Bieniawski, 1989 is other commonly adopted method for
rock mass classification. In this system rock mass is classified by the cumulative rating
numbers of different parameters like:
 Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS)

 Rock Quality Designation (RQD)
 Spacing of Discontinuities
 Condition of Discontinuities
 Ground Water Condition
Similarly the rock support design proposed by Sunuwar in the contest of Nepal
Himalaya is also worth full to mentioned here. According to the rock properties and size
of a tunnel the rock support is divided into six classes (Sunuwar 2005) and the designed
rock support for 4 m diameter tunnel is shown in Table 5.8.
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Figure 5.9: NGI Q-System from Barton and Grimstad 1993
Table 5.8: Recommended rock support in the headrace tunnel (Sunuwar, 2005), (Span = 4
m, ESR = 1.6)
S.N Rock class/ Q-value Support amount Remarks
Type RMR
1 I >4 Spot bolting at crown and Blocky to massive, well
FAIR TO GOOD ROCK > 56 unstable wedge. 5 cm fibre interlocked, competent
reinforced shotcrete only at stable rock.
fractured and loose area.
2 II 1 – 4 Bolts in pattern 1.5 x 1.6 m 5 Jointed and fractured

POOR ROCK 44 – 56 cm fibre reinforced shotcrete at dolomites rock.
crown and wall.
3 III 0.4 – 1 Bolts in pattern 1.3 x 1.5 m Heavily
VERY POOR TO POOR 35 – 44 Fibre reinforced shotcrete: jointed/fractured rock
ROCK Crown = 10 cm Walls = 5 cm
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4 IV 0.1-0.4 Bolts in pattern 1.2 x 1.3 m Highly fractured and

VERY POOR ROCK 23 – 35 Fibre reinforced shotcrete: cleaved rock.
Crown = 15 cm Walls = 10 cm
Inver = Concrete slab
5 V 0.01 – 0.1 Bolts in pattern 1.2 x 1.3 m Intercalated and

EXTREMELY POOR 3 – 23 Fibre reinforced shotcrete: heavily fractured rocks
ROCK Crown = 15 cm Walls = 10 cm area. Local roof falls
Invert = Concrete slab and squeezing
problem.
6 VI < 0.01 < 3 Bolts in pattern 1 x 1 m Fibre Shear zone containing
EXCEPTIONALY POOR reinforced shotcrete: Crown = sheared/fractured
ROCK 20 cm. Wall = 15cm. Invert = rock.
Concrete slabs Concrete lining
or Reinforced Ribs of shotcrete
(6 nos. of T16 bars in 10cm
spacing and spacing between
each set is 1m) in squeezing
section
5.5.3 Rock Support Estimation

Rock masses of the project area are classified by different methods. The chainage wise
projected rock mass description is given in the Table 5.9, however the rock support
design in this stage of the study is based on Q-System and is presented in Table 5.10.
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Table 5.9: Chainage wise Projected Rock mass quality
SN Chainage Rock type RMR Q- Rock Mass based on

Value RMR Q
1 0+000- Quarzite with 45-65 4-9 Fair-Good Fair –Good
0+200 phyllite
2 0+200- Phyllite with 35-45 1-3 Poor-Fair Poor
0+800 quartzite
3 0+800- Phyllite with 45-55 2-5 Fair Fair
1+600 quartzite
4 1+600- Phyllite with 35-40 0.8-1 Poor Very poor
2+000 Quartzite
5 2+000- Quartzite with 55-65 10 Good Good
2+400 phyllite/schist
6 2+400- Phyllite 20 0.2 Very Poor Very poor
2+800
7 2+800- Schist , 45-50 1.5-3 Fair Poor
3+700 Phyllite and
Quartzite
8 3+700 – Weak Zone - - Very Poor Extremely poor
3+900
9 3+900- Phyllitic schist 35-55 1 Fair Poor
4+100 with Quartzite
10 4+100 – Weak Zone - - Very Poor Extremely poor
4+350
11 4+350- Phyllite with 45-55 2-4 Fair Fair
4+600 quartzite
12 4+600- Quartzite with 50-68 10 Good Good
4+800 phyllite
13 4+800 – Phyllite with 45-58 1-5 Fair Poor-Fair
5+700 quartzite
Table 5.10: Predicted rock mass quality and support design for Headrace Tunnel
Rock Rock mass Estimated Rock support Total length %

Class quality in m
I Fair-Good Spot bolting (SB)+ 5 cm steel 800 14

fiber shotcrete
II Fair 4 bolts+ 5cm steel fiber 2100 37

shotcrete (sfr)
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III Poor 5 bolts +5-10cm sfr 1550 27
IV Very Poor 7 bolts +10 cm sfr 800 14

V Extremely 10 bolts/wire mesh +10 cm 450 8
Poor sfr + reinforce ribs+30 cm
concrete lining
Total 5700 100
The headrace tunnel will be in hydrostatic condition during its operation. Since the
designed rock support in the table is not water tight, the concept of pre-injection
grouting should be applied at the required length of headrace tunnel to control possible
water leakage during operation.
5.6 Construction Material
Construction material sites were observed mostly along the both banks of Myagdi Khola
within the stretch of project area. From the field observation three major potential sites
were investigated. Coarse material in the headworks site on the right bank can be used
as riprap material. Confluence of Maran Khola and Myagdi Khola is another potential
site for the construction material site. There is no major potential site for the fine
aggregate due to high gradient River. Major source of fine aggregate could be Darbang
area and Kali Gandaki River.
The tentative volume could be exploited from the mentioned deposit are tabulated in
the table below (Table 11).Most of the deposits consist of about 70 - 80% coarse
aggregate (gravels to boulders) and about 20 - 30% fines (silt to sand).Coarse
aggregate mainly consists of gneiss (60%) , quartzite (25%) and phyllite schist (15
%).
Table 5.11: Summary of different sources for construction materials
S. N. Locations Descriptions Quantity Haulage

(m3) AxH distance
1 Upstream of weir axis right Alluvial terrace deposit 1000*2=2 About 100m
bank of Myagdi Khola consists of boulder, gravel in 000 upstream from
the matrix of silty sand. the proposed
headworks.
2 At the confluence of Maran Old and recent alluvial terrace 2400*1.5= Around
and Myagdi Khola deposit consists of boulder, 3600 Powerhouse
gravel in the matrix of silty area
sand.
3 400m downstream from Recent alluvial deposit >50000 About 200 m
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S. N. Locations Descriptions Quantity Haulage

(m3) AxH distance
Darbang Bazaar consists of gravel mixed silty from the
sand. Darbang road
Plate-5.3: Potential site for construction material in river deposit around Darbang Area
5.7 Seismicity
5.7.1 General
Evolution of the Great Himalayan Arc is the result of collision between the Indian and
Eurasian Tectonic Plates over a distance of 2400km from Pakistan in the west and
Burma in the east. The Himalayas are located near plate boundary. Therefore,
Himalayan region is considered to be seismically active zone. Seismic activity in the
Himalayas results from the strike slipping of the Indian basement along a sub-horizontal
decollement interface, which is known as Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). It coincides
with MFT in south and roots alongMCT isbeneath the High Himalaya and southern
Tibet. Magnitude and recurrence of Himalayan earthquake depend upon the geometry
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and plate velocity of Indian plate with respect to Tibetan plate. Convergence rate of
Indian Plate in the Himalayan region is estimated to be about 20 mm/year.
Thus, being a part of Himalayas, Nepal Himalaya is considered to be active seismic

zone. However, the existence of tectonic features such as Main Central Thrust (MCT),
Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and Himalayan Frontal Fault (HFF) further accelerates the
rate of seismic risk. Therefore, proximity to such structural features is important while
assessing the seismicity of the hydroelectric project.
Recent seismicity condition and historical records indicate that the Himalaya has
experienced recurrence of great earthquakes. National Seismological Centre
(Department of Mines and Geology, 2006) has been recording small to medium sized
earthquakes that frequently occurring in the territory of Nepal. Earthquakes Epicenter
Map of Nepal shows that medium sized earthquakes (6 to 7 magnitude) are mostly
confined to the MHT between the foot hills and the Higher Himalaya, Figure 5.11. The
data of the recorded earthquake indicates that the recurrence of earthquake 6<M<7 in
western Nepal is one time in six years, Table 5.13. However, uncertainty of the strong
ground tremor is very high since the active fault systems in the vicinity of the project
area are not reported.
Figure 5.10: Earthquake epicenter map of Nepal (DMG, 2006)
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In the last century, four great earthquakes have occurred due to sudden release of
accumulated stresses in the active geological faults of the Himalaya. Nepal has
historically experienced several great earthquakes (Chitrakar and Pandey, 1986; DMG,
2006). The 1934 Bihar-Nepal Great Earthquake was one among the four large
earthquakes of the whole Himalaya with a magnitude of Ms 8.3. Occurrence of other
significant historical great earthquakes (M>7.5) in 1255, 1408, 1810 and 1833 are also
mentioned in literatures (Chitrakar and Pandey, 1986; Bilham et al, 1995).
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Table 5.12: Recurrence of earthquake in Nepal between the period 1994 and 2000 (after
DMG, 2006).
Paleoseismology deals with the history of earthquakes: their location, magnitude and
frequency of occurrence.Thus, by study of the past occurrences of large earthquakes, it
is possible to forecast the likelihood of future earthquakes in terms of location,
magnitude and probable timing. It identifies and studies the source of earthquakes
(active faults), their potential to produce future large earthquakes from their past
records, and to try to forecast and provide information on future earthquake activity,
usually using some probabilistic approach. Paleoseismological activities in the Nepal
Himalaya have been evidenced from the sediments of Kathmandu valley and Terai plain
(Gajurel et al., 1998; Nakata et al., 1998; Lavé et al, 2005; Yule et al., 2006). A detailed
active fault map prepared in the Nepalese Himalaya indicates that source of earthquake
i.e. active faults are situated very far from the project site (Upreti, 2009, Figure 5.11).
Seismic hazard map prepared by Department of Mines and Geology (2002) using a peak
horizontal acceleration at bedrock has a 10% probability of being exceeded over 50
years.
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Figure 5.11: Active faults of Nepal Himalayas (Adopted after Upreti 2009)
5.7.2 Seismo-tectonic structure of the Himalayas

5.7.2.1 South Tibetan Detachment System (STDS)
This is the tectonic contact between the Higher Himalayas and Tibetan Tethys Sediment
Zone. It is the less active seismo-tectonic structure.
5.7.2.2 Main Central Thrust (MCT)
This is the tectonic contact between the Higher Himalayas and Lesser Himalayas. It is a
north dipping thrust fault which at one time was a convergent plate boundary. The MCT
was active during the early phases of Himalayan orogeny but is now considered to be
less active as compared to Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). Based on historical records
(1800’s to 1986) the largest earthquake recorded in the MCT zone in the Himalaya was
a 7.5 magnitude in August 28, 1916.
5.7.2.3 Main Boundary Thrust (MBT)
This is the active tectonic contact between the Lesser Himalayas and the Siwaliks. The
MBT has been the source of very large earthquakes in the past. It is reported that the
maximum potential earthquakes in this feature has a magnitude of 8.0. The project site
is located at about 5 km north of MBT which is considered to be near distance from the
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project site. Therefore, less seismic risk associated with this feature is expected for the
project.
5.7.2.4 Himalayan Frontal Fault (HFF)
This is a tectonic feature located at the boundary of the Siwalik and the Terai. This fault
is also considered to be active. The maximum earthquake potential of this fault is 6.5 in
magnitude. The project site is located very far from this feature hence less seismic risk
caused due to this feature is expected.
5.7.2.5 Seismicity Evaluation
Nepal has experienced a number of large earthquakes over the past few decades which
have caused the substantial damage of life and property. A microseismic epicenter map
of Nepal Himalaya and adjoining region (1:2,000,000) prepared by the National
Seismological Centre, Department of Mines and Geology, 2006 has been presented in
Figure 5.11for reference. The map shows the distribution pattern of theearthquake
epicenters in Nepal and adjoining region. The map also suggests that the far western
Nepal is seismically more active than the Eastern Nepal. It is also clear from the map
that there is a dense cluster of earthquake epicenters in far western Nepal, less in
Eastern Nepal and least in Central Nepal.
Records of seismic activities are limited in the Nepal Himalayas and hence correlation of
seismic events with the adjacent Himalayan Region would be a useful source of
information for designing the hydraulic structures. Several Seismicity studies have been
carried out for various projects in the country during the study and engineering design
phases and seismic design coefficient are derived for those projects. Theoretically,
Nepalese standard and Indian Standard are two basic criteria to derive the design
coefficient for the design of hydraulic structures in the absence of detailed seismicity
study of the projects. Therefore, based on seismicity study carried out for other projects
and theoretical methods, the basic design coefficient for Khola Project can be derived
based on Nepalese standard and Indian Standard.
5.7.2.6 Nepalese Standard
In order to determine the seismic coefficient a seismic design code for Nepal has been
prepared. The country is divided into three seismic risk zones based on allowable
bearing capacity of three types of soil foundation. The Upper Myagdi IHydropower
Project is located in the Zone -3 of seismic risk zone map of Nepal, Figure 5.14 and the
soil foundation at the dam site belong to average soil type. Therefore, the basic
horizontal seismic coefficient is considered to be 0.08. By using the empirical method,
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the effective design coefficient according to seismic design code of Nepal is given by
the equation,
αeff = R * α = R * Amax/980 Where, αeff = effective design seismic coefficient

R = Reduction Factor (Empirical value of R = 0.5 – 0.65)
For the maximum acceleration of 250 gal according to Seismic Hazard Map of Nepal,
Figure 5.12, (Published by DMG, National seismological Center - September 2002) and
reduction factor of 0.6 the calculated effective design seismic coefficientfor the Project
is approximately 0.15 according to Nepalese Standard.
5.7.2.7 Indian Standard
In order to determine the design horizontal coefficient, a seismic risk map for India has
been prepared. The map is published Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of
structures in India. The country is divided into five seismic risk zones in the Indian
Standard, Figure 5.14.According to seismic risk map of India, project area lies in the
fifth seismic risk zone of India (Zone V). Therefore, based on the national building code
of India (IS: 4326-1993), Project is located in the Zone V and recommended basic
coefficient of horizontal seismic acceleration for this Zone is 0.08 gal.
The design horizontal seismic coefficient (αc) of the ground is given by

αc = α0 x β x I
Where, α0= basic horizontal seismic co-efficient (0.08)

β = Soil foundation system factor (1.0 for dam)
I = Importance factor of structure (2.0 for dam)
Therefore, the design horizontal seismic coefficient for the weir at Project is 0.16
according to Indian Standard.
However, it is suggested to use 0.15 values as a design horizontal seismic coefficient for
the Project.
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Figure 5.12: Seismic Hazard Map of Nepal
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Figure 5.13: Seismic Risk Map of Nepal
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Figure 5.14: Seismic Risk Map of India
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5.8 Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusions
The project area lies in Lesser Himalayan succession. Main lithology of the project area
is phyllite/schist and quartzite. Left bank of the Myagdi Khola has mostly bedrock
exposures where right bank has colluvial deposits with few landslides and river crossing.
Head works constitute a diversion weir, intake and approach canal. Diversion weir will
be founded on alluvial deposit and other structures will be founded on bed rock.
Underground settling basin is located on bed rock of phyllite with quartzite.
Subsurface geology of the headrace tunnel is projected based on manifestation of

surface discontinuities data observed at different outcrops available along the HRT
route. Thus the rock mass class can vary at structure grade and specific chainage
shown in drawings. Headrace Tunnel is likely to pass through phyllitic schist with
quartzite. No major weak or shear zone is observed during surface mapping along the
Tunnel axis, however the possibilities of uncertainties is always in underground
excavation. Thus those anticipated problem is assumed to be 10 % of the total stretch
of the tunnel and the respective cost is incorporated in this design phase of study.
Similarly Powerhouse and tailrace area are proposed in alluvial terrace deposit. Rock
mass in this area is categorized as fair.
Scattered boulders along the banks of the rivers can be crushed and used for coarse
aggregate. Deposits for fine aggregate might be inadequate in the project area, which
are found as scattered patches along the river section. Adequate fine aggregate can be
extract from Darbang and Kaligandaki.
Recommendations
As discussed earlier, the assessment of the rock mass quality in this feasibility study at
Upper Myagdi-I Hydroelectric Project is mainly based on the surface mapping and
geological traverse survey. Hence, there is a strong need for further sub-surface
investigation at critical locations of the project so that more information on the
mechanical characteristics of the rock mass is achieved. Therefore, following sub-
surface investigations are recommended:
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A. Geophysica Survey
Geophysical survey should be carried out at the following locations:
 Headworks area covering 800m length.

 At surge shaft and penstock alignment covering 500 meters length.
 Powerhouse and tailrace area covering 700m length
B. Drilling
Exploration drilling should be carried out at the following locations:
 At the left bank of Myagdi Khola near by under sluice location covering 25 m
depths.
 At settling basin area covering 20m depth
 At surge shaft location covering 50m depth.
 At penstock alignment covering 15m depth
 At powerhouse location covering 25m depth.
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Chapter 6–Alternative Layouts and Recommended

Project Layout
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6.1 Study of Possible Alternative Layouts for the Project

Proposed Project is a run-of-river type project. It utilizes water of Myagdi River. Major
structural components of the project are weir, side intake, undersluice, approachtunnel,
desilting basin, headrace tunnel, surge shaft, penstock, power house, and tailrace.
Alternate option consists of alternate route for headrace tunnel,different height of weir,
and surge shaft location
Alternate I
One possible alternative is tunnel alignment through right side of Myagdi which is
longer than left side due to some river crossing and colluvial deposit. Landslides are
also encountered in this option.Also suitable location of surface power house and surge
shaft was not found for the right bank alignment.
Alternate II
Headwork of the project has been fixed at about 70m downstream of the confluence
between Mudi Khola and MyagdiRiver. This project has been optimized to generate
53,500kW electricity. Design discharge has been fixed as33.6 m3/s. Tunnel alignment
lies in theleft bank. Regarding the surge shaft, underground with partially exposed
penstock was studied.But for the cost saving purpose, it was avoided.
Alternate III
This layout is proposed as a modification of alternative II. In this alternative, tunnel
passes through left bank of Myagdi River with exposed surge shaft.
6.2 Presentation of Recommended Layout

Though thesethreeoptions have limitations and advantages, Alternative III is
recommended at this stage of study.
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Chapter 7– Project Optimization
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7.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the methodology and assumptions considered for the
optimization of the project to determine the optimum cost effective project size i.e. the
Optimum Plant Capacity. The optimization study is conducted to determine the
optimum plant capacity.
The optimization study is carried out taking a range of technically viable alternative
plant capacities. As per available mean monthly river discharge data and available head,
energy calculated at different plant capacities. Project cost at different capacity is
derived by calculating the cost of major items of different structures involved in the
project such as diversion weir, settling basin, water conveyance system, powerhouse
and tailrace. Optimization study includes the cost of different alternatives and their
financial parameters. Alternative with minimum generation cost has been selected as
the optimum project size.
7.2 Objectives and General Approach

Objective of the optimization study is to determine a technically most feasible project
capacity, which will produce the energy at minimum cost. As such, the derivation of
project cost and its benefits in terms of energy produced will be required to form a
matrix of different alternatives from which the optimum project capacity could be
selected. The study would also require determination of optimum dimensions of various
project structures or components like water conveyance system, penstock and water
level at headwork. These studies are based on available hydrological, topographical and
geological data, which indicated that an installed capacity in the range of 53.5 MW
would be most feasible at the proposed site.
Optimization process is undertaken as a financial analysis with results expressed as

financial costs and benefits. Conceptual layouts are developed for each alternative from
which cost estimates are prepared. Power benefits are determined for each alternative
and compared with costs.
Its objective is to determine the element size, which maximizes the benefits of power
supply. Optimization procedure in this study follows the general procedure outlined
below.
Selection of the procedures to be optimized and their range and thus establishing series
of alternatives.For each alternative, carrying out the conceptual design and produce
cost estimate.For each alternative, assessment of its performance and estimate its
benefits:
Comparison of the costs and benefits and carrying out economic analysis.
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For each case of the installed capacity, a preliminary layout on the available
topographical map was carried out and preliminary cost estimate is derived including
electro-mechanical costs. Common costs like cost for environmental mitigation, access
road and transmission line are not considered in this study. For each case, energy
calculation depending on the available hydrological data was carried out to determine
the dry and wet energy.
The major project structures which differ from one case to another with different
installed capacity are listed below.
 Ogee shapedweir & Undersluice
 Intake & Desanding basin
 Headrace tunnel & Construction adits
 Surge shaft& Penstock
 Powerhouse and tailrace
 Hydro-mechanical structures like gates and trash-racks
 Electro-mechanical equipment like turbine, generator, power transformer and
valves etc.
Quantity estimate and tentative costs are calculated for each of these structures. Water
conveyance system is the major variable in the cost of different alternatives and is
optimum for the given head and discharge characteristics of the installed capacity. For
electro-mechanical costs supplier’s quotations of various recent projects in Nepal is
based on per kilowatt cost of equipment on “water to wire basis”. Since detailed rate
analysis was not carried out,unit rates for various works based on the projects of similar
nature has been considered.
Following assumptions are made for the optimization studies.

 Discount rate is taken as 10%.
 Financial analysis is carried out for 30 years.
 Operation and maintenance cost is assumed to be about 1.5% of the total
financial cost.
 The construction period of the project is assumed to be 4 years with cost
distribution of 20%, 30%, 30% and 20% in the first, second, third and fourth
year.
 The price of energy generated and supplied to the NEA grid has been taken from
the average of the negotiated rates with NEA by the developer with capacity
more than 25 MW capacity. The initial average energy price is average of dry
and wet season energy price adopted by NEA. An annual increment of 3% for
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first 8 years is considered.

 Efficiency of turbine, generators and transformers considered are 91%, 97% and
99% respectively.
Financial evaluation was carried out using discounted cash flow techniques for each
case to determine economic indicators like benefit-cost (B/C) ratio, internal rate of
return (IRR) and net present value(NPV) of the project. Economic indicators for all the
cases were tabulated and appropriate charts were drawn. The case producing the
maximum RoE, B/C ratio and minimum specific energy cost was then selected as the
optimum and detailed studies should be carried out for this option.
7.2.1 Hydrology
Capacity and energy potential of a particular option is dependent on the river flows.
Long term mean monthly flows at the intake site of the project are derived from
hydrological analysis carried out in detail for this project. Mean monthly flow series is
shown in Table 7.1.
Table 7.1:Average Monthly flows

Month Discharge (m3/s)
January 12.76
Februrary 10.67
March 10.49
April 14.35
May 23.32
June 61.63
July 196.82
August 216.89
September 114.05
October 47.18
November 23.30
December 16.89
These flows have been used in the computations of dry and wet energies and the
capacity potential for project optimization
To maintain the aquatic life in the dewatered reach of the river, 10% of the minimum
monthly flow, i.e., 1.049m3/s will be released from the headworks. Percentage flow
equal or that exceeding of the project is presented below.
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Table 7.2: Flow exceedance discharge

Time of Discharge (m3/s)
exceedance (%)
5 199.3
20 111.7
25 86.7
30 57.8
35 48
40 33.6
45 26.3
50 23.5
60 17.8
65 16.3
80 12.5
95 9.4
7.2.2 Conceptual layout and cost Comparison

Layout of the project components consist of weir with side intake in the Myagdi River.
Water drawn from intake passes towards approach tunnel and desanding basin. Just
after settling basin, a connecting tunnel from each chamber will join to single water
conveyance which is pressure tunnel or headrace tunnel. Water conveyance from the
Desanding basin to the powerhouse consists of headrace tunnel, surge shaft and
penstock pipe.
Sizes of all individual structures for each capacity option were computed to determine
the respective cost of the structure for the purpose of optimization. As the flood
hydrology does not change for the different cases, the design of weir and undersluice
has been kept constant. However, change in the installed capacity changes the design
discharge; accordingly, the sizes of settling basin and mainly the penstock pipe cost
were adjusted. The diameters of the penstock are designed based on the annual costs
and benefits. Powerhouse size is also changed inconsideration to the equipment
capacity.
Preliminary quantity and cost estimates were developed for all the cases considered.
Only the major items were computed in detail, while minor items were estimated based
on the rates and data of similar structures of other projects. As the optimization is a
relative process, it was considered sufficiently reliable for comparison purposes. Unit
rates were derived from completed projects in Nepal of this range of capacity of recent
projects undertaken by NEA and other private developers with some modifications.
Electro-mechanical equipment costs have been estimated with reference to similar size
of projects and from quotations of different suppliers and manufacturers and also based
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on the recent projects by private developers. The cost estimates also considered the
costs for access roads, infrastructure development and environmental mitigation costs.
Technical contingencies have been taken into account for obtaining the total
implementation cost of the alternative.
7.2.3 Range of Options and Energy Production
In order to determine the optimum installed capacity of the project, a total of four
alternatives ranging from38.70 MW to 70.5 MW with varying exceedence flows ranging
from 35% to 50% flow exceedence were considered to derive the optimum plant
capacity. Different alternative capacity and corresponding energy generation capacity
have been calculated.
As the project is run-of-river scheme, energy productions were calculated for all
alternatives considering average monthly flows as given in Table 7.1. The energy
produced is categorized into dry and wet energy. The design discharge given above
were derived for each of the flows assuming an overall efficiency of turbine, generator
and transformer as 86.40% and the head loss for each design flow is calculated in the
water conveyance system.
Gross head is calculated from the water level at the surge tank to the normal level of
tailrace. The summary of range of options and various types of energy produced are
given in Table 7.3. and detailed estimate of cost is given in Table 7.4
Table 7.3: Summary for different options

% Exceedence Discharge Power Energy Project Cost in
(m3/s) (MW) (GWh) NRs. millions
35 48.00 70.5 349.59 12402

40 33.6 53.5 307.18 8108
45 26.3 42.94 266.52 7642
50 23.5 38.70 249.88 6621
7.2.4 Result of Financial Analysis

The financial analysis of the different alternatives were carried out by comparing the
project cost in each case, the implementation cost and operation costs with accrued
benefits due to energy production. Financial analysis was carried out to determine the
basic economic parameters like net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR),
benefit-cost ratio (B/C) etc. The results of the economic analysis for all the cases are
summarized in Table 7.5.
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Table 7.4: Estimate of cost

Item Discription of Works 42.95 MW 38.70 MW
70.5 MW Opion 53.5MW Option Option Option
Amount in NRS Amount in NRS Amount in NRS Amount in NRS
A1 General Item 76,712,500 45,125,000 42,868,750 38,356,250.00
A2 Preliminary Works 112,200,000 66,000,000 62,700,000.0 53,295,000.0
A3 Camp Facilities 145,155,654 85,385,679 81,116,395.05 72,577,827.15
A4 Access Road 180,000,000 180,000,000 180,000,000 180,000,000
B Main Civil Works
B1 Headworks 1,260,124,989.96 898,099,554.84 873,151,579.83 820,268,156.56
B2 Headrace Tunnel and Adit 3,055,220,438.16 1,699,649,144.86 1,614,666,687.62 1,444,701,773.13
B3 Surge Shaft 117,601,312.59 67,200,750.05 53,760,600.04 57,120,637.55
B4 Anchor Block and Support Pier 87,877,460.09 48,820,811.16 39,056,648.93 41,497,689.49
B5 Powerhouse and Tailrace 219,403,467.22 123,788,119.94 117,598,713.95 105,219,901.95
I Base Civil Cost Total 5,254,295,822 3,214,069,060 3,064,919,375 2,814,720,236

Physical Contingencies@15 % for surface
II works 213,955,955 160,344,467 155,572,326 140,887,103
Physical Contingencies@ 20
III %Underground works 765,584,558 429,021,189 405,554,107 321,765,892
IV VAT @13% of Items (I+II+III) 810,398,724 494,446,513 471,385,955 391,394,874
V Total Civil Cost (I+II+III+IV) 7,044,235,059 4,297,881,229 4,097,431,764 3,402,124,677

C Hydro-electro-mechanical Works
C1 Steel Penstock Pipe and Accessories

510,000,000.0 300,000,000 285,000,000.0 255,000,000.00
C2 Gates and Accessories
210,105,337.5 123,591,375 119,883,633.8 98,873,100.00
C3 Electromechanical equipment
2,263,050,000.0 1,715,745,000 1,544,170,500.0 1,372,596,000.00
C4 Transmission Line
504,000,000 420,000,000 420,000,000 420,000,000
C5 Base H-E/M Cost total
3,487,155,338 2,559,336,375 2,369,054,134 2,146,469,100
C6 Contingencies on H-EM Cost @ 5%
174,357,767 127,966,819 118,452,707 107,323,455
Custom Tax @ 1% (of Item No. 50% C 1
C7
+ C 3 + 75% of C 4) 28,960,500 21,807,450 20,016,705 18,150,960
Value Added Tax @ 13% of Item No.
C8
(25% of C 1+ C 2 + 25% of C 4) 60,268,694 39,466,879 38,497,372 34,791,003
Total H-E/M Cost (Item No. C5 + C6
+ C7 + C8) 3,750,742,298 2,748,577,523 2,546,020,918 2,306,734,518
Total Base Cost without Physical
D
Contingencies and taxes ( I+C5) 8,741,451,160 5,773,405,435 5,433,973,509 4,961,189,336
Total Base Cost with Physical
E Contingencies and taxes (Item
A+B+C) 10,794,977,357 7,046,458,752 6,643,452,681 5,708,859,195
Environmental Mitigation and Land
F
acquisition @ 2% of D 174,829,023 115,468,109 108,679,470 99,223,787
Engineering, administration and
G
management @ 3% of (Item D) 262,243,535 173,202,163 163,019,205 148,835,680
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Project Development Cost @ 3% of Item

H
No. D 262,243,535 173,202,163 163,019,205 148,835,680
I VAT on Engineering Cost 13% on G
34,091,660 22,516,281 21,192,497 19,348,638
Total Cost (Item No. E + F + G + H +
J
I) 11,528,385,109 7,530,847,468 7,099,363,059 6,125,102,980
K Price Contengencies 10% of base cost
874,145,116 577,340,543 543,397,351 496,118,934
L Total Project Cost (Item No. K +J)
12,402,530,225 8,108,188,011 7,642,760,410 6,621,221,914
Table7.5: Summary for Economic analysis of different option
Power (MW) B/C Ratio Project

IRR (%)
70.5 0.99 11.50
53.5 1.62 16.78
42.94 1.45 14.10
38.70 1.32 13.80
7.3 Conclusions
With respect to B/C ratio, internal rate of return and the specific energy cost,optimum
installed capacity is determined as 53.5MW.
Being a run-of-river project, lower installation is preferred as the higher installation will
only increase the production of secondary energy in the wet season, which is very hard
to realize in the Nepal Power system. Hence, plant capacity of 53.5 MW is selected as
the optimum case and recommended for the detail engineering of the project. The
optimum plant capacity of 53.5 MW corresponds to the design discharge of 33.6m3/s,
which is 40% of flow exceedance of Myagdi River.
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Chapter 8- Project Description and Design
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8.1 Design Basis

Upper Myagdi-I hydroelectric project is a run-off-river project. The project is designed
for the discharge 33.6 cumecs which lies at 40 percent exceedance in flow duration
curve. Following hydrology parmeters are taken into consideration prior to design of
project. Floods are computed applying Log-normal distribution method.
Design discharge (Q40)=33.6 cumecs. FSL.1359.00

100 years returned flood =1453 cumecs. WL.1364.20
8.1.1 Headworks
The headworks design is basically governed by the type of river, quantity of flow of
water and sediment, type of scheme, etc. For Myagdi Khola, the headworks layout has
been fixed considering quantity of flow of water and sediment in the river, design
discharge, existing topography, geological conditions and optimum utilization of space
needed. Besides, the project has been designed taking into consideration of the
efficient operation during all normal situations. Followings have been the basic
principles for design of the headworks for upper Myagdi I HPP:
a. the structures will divert necessary flow into the system

b. bed load entry to intake is negligible and mostly passed through undersluice
c. structures will be safe from any hazardous floods and excess flood in the river
will be safely passed to downstream over uncontrolled free flow spillway.
d. the headworks will be operational even during 1 in 10 years flood event
e. any floating debris will not choke the intake and will safely pass to the
downstream
a. Diversion works
The construction works across the river will be basically done during dry season time
during which the flow in the river will be less. However flood events are also possible
during such time, therefore coffer dam and diversion tunnel are necessary for
preventing any flood effect during construction period in the river channel. The
diversion tunnel in principle is designed to pass any potential dry season flood. The dry
season of months from November to April is regarded at the time of construction of
diversion weir, intake, undersluice and other pertinent structure and in particularly the
foundation works of these structures.
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The 1 in 20 years return period dry season flood is estimated as 52.85m3/s. This
discharge is selected for sizing of the river diversion works. The design has been carried
out by using Manning's formula taken into consideration of limiting velocity for
transporting the particle size larger than 50 mm. Details area as below
Temporary Diversion Works:

Construction design Flood (Q20) =52.85 cumecs.
Crest Level of US Coffer Dam = EL.1364.20
Width of Diversion Tunnel =4.50m
Length of Tunnel Diversion Tunnel =200m
b. Overflow Weir
The diversion weir is composed of an uncontrolled concrete overflow weir having length
52m. In addition, two bed load flushing undersluice with vertical sliding gates are
provisioned. The crest level is fixed at an elevation 1359.00 amsl. The head over the
crest has been calculated by using the weir formula.
Q  C  L  H 3/ 2
Where,
C : weir discharge coefficient and assumed 2.20 for broad crest weir
L : weir length in meters
H : flow depth over crest in meters
The diversion weir is designed to pass 1 in 100 years flood, which is estimated as 1453
m3/s. The flood water level for 100 years flood at the weir area has been determined
assuming that the flushing gates remain closed due to operating failure.Crest elevation
of diversion weir is fixed at elevation of 1359 amsl.Stability of weir is checked applying
following criteria:
i) Safety against Sliding:

The factor of safety against sliding is calculated as follows:
F = (c A/F + (∑ (W - U) tan φ/F)) / ∑ H
Where
F = Factor of safety
c = cohesion (value = 0)
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A = contact area of dam + stilling basin

W = vertical forces (dead loads on dam and stilling basin)
U = uplift forces
φ = friction angle of the materials beneath the dam
H = Horizontal driving forces
Factor of safety against sliding should be equal to or greater than 1.5 for Normal
Operating Condition.
Factor of safety should be equal to or greater than 1.3 in case of Design Flood & OBE.
ii) Safety against Overturning:

The safety factor against overturning is the ratio of the righting moment to the
overturning moment about the toe. It is expressed as:
FS= (Wc xl1 +Ww xl2)/(Pxl3 +Ux xl4 ),
Where, Wc= Force due to weight of concrete

Ww =Force due to weight of water
P=Force of water acting to displace the structure downstream
U= Uplift force
l= length of moment arm for respective forces.
Factor of safety should be equal to or greater than 1.5 for normal operating condition &
1.3 for Design flood & OBE.The resultant force must fall within the middle third of the
base for all condition of loading uplift.
Stability check is carried out mainly for the following conditions:
1. Normal operating Condition

2. Flood: Flood occurring once in 200years
3. Earthquake:
3.1 Operating Basic Earthquake:
Peak ground acceleration= 0.24
3.2 Maximum Credible Earthquake
Peak ground acceleration=0.50
UM-IHP 104
C. Undersluice
A two bay undersluice having width 4m for each bay has been designed to prevent bed
load entering to the intake and possible build up of the bed load in front of the intake.
For controlling flow through the undersluice two gates have been provisioned. The
undersluice has been designed with the characteristics given below:
 Maintain a guided and uniform flow in front of the intake.

 Enable the intake to draw desired discharge during normal flow in the river with
no or insignificant suspended sediments.
 Scour and sluice the sediment deposited in front of the intake.
 Pass the maximum pre-monsoon flood and part of the high flood during
monsoon.
 Protection from the erosion and abrasion.
The maximum capacity of the undersluice at 100 years return period flood has
estimated by using orifice formula with the details given below:
Invert level of undersluice gate : 1352.00 amsl

Top level of opening : 1356.80m amsl
Opening width : (4 x 2 = 8 m)
Opening height : 4.8 m
Opening Area : 38.4 m2
Maximum discharge through submerged undersluice orifice for the design flood of 100
years return period in the river has been calculated using following relation and the
details.
Qmax  C  A  2  9.81 H
Where,
C : Coefficient equivalent to 0.67
H : Effective head over the orifice in meter
A : Opening area in square meters
d. Intake
Side intake has been designed to divert design discharge of 33.6m3/sec and 20%
additional discharge required to flush the sediment from the settling basins. Hence, the
designed discharge for the intake will be 40.32m3/sec. The intake sill level has been
UM-IHP 105
raised by 3.20m from the invert of undersluice to prevent the sediment entrance to the
intake.
The intake orifices have been designed as submerged orifices. The minimum
submergence of 0.3 m has been provided during normal flow in the river so that
floating debris does not pass through the orifices. Stoplogs and vertical slide gates have
been provisioned for controlling the discharge during high flood in case of emergency
and for maintenance purpose. The size of the orifice has been determined considering
low velocity to minimize head loss and entry of floating debris. The discharge that can
pass through the intake orifice has been calculated based on available head over the
crest and geometry of the orifice.
8.1.2 Desanding Basin

Two underground settling basins are fed with discharge from individual inlet tunnels.
The alignment of the basins has been chosen such that the underground openings are
stable during and after construction.Desanding basin is designed to trap the silt sand of
size equal to or bigger than 0.2 mm.The longitudinal velocity is maintained equal to or
less than 20 cm per sec.The settling velocity is taken 2 cm per sec.Velocity to flush the
sediments in the flushing tunnel is 2.60 m/sec.
8.1.3 Water way

The purpose of waterway is to convey the discharge available at the intake pond to
the turbine installed in the powerhouse. It consists of headrace tunnel, penstock tunnel
and penstock pipe. The waterway system design has been based on the conventional
approach basically favoured by the topography and the geology as describe in the
respective chapters above. It will be completely underground arrangement for
conveying water except the penstock pipe which will be exposed. The alignment has
been chosen in consideration of followings:
a. The alignment should be shortest possible

b. The alignment should fulfill the requirement of stability
c. The alignment should be cost effective
d. The alignment should be practically feasible for construction
The design basis of each of the waterway structures are discussed below.
Headrace Tunnel
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The headrace tunnel alignment has been fixed based on the factors listed above. The
cross section of the Headrace Tunnel will be inverted-D in shape. It has been fixed
considering the practical approach. Inverted-D shaped tunnel provides comfort in
vehicular movement with extra space at the invert and sufficient overhead space for
ventilation and other general use. The diameter of the tunnel has been determined
after optimization. Basically, there are two different types of rock support for the
tunnel, concrete lining and shotcrete lining. It is an inverted D-shaped section with 4
m. in diameter.
The permissible velocity of flow and the potential headloss determines the hydraulic
requirement of the tunnel. Permissible velocity of 1.5m/sec in the shotcrete lined
section and 3m/sec for concrete lined section has been adopted for preliminary sizing of
the tunnel. Darcy Weisbach formula has been used to determine the headloss and
Colebrook and White formula has been used to determine the friction coefficient to be
used in the Darcy Weisbach formula
fLV 2
hl 
2 gD
where, hl = headloss in the waterway

f = frictional coefficient
L = length of waterway
V = velocity of flow
D = Hydraulic Diameter of tunnel
g = acceleration due to gravity
The frictional coefficient is determined using Colebrook and White formula, which is given by:
1 
  2.51 

 2 log 10   
f 
 3.7 D Re f 

where, Re = Reynolds number given by Re = VD/

D = Hydraulic Diameter of tunnel
 = Kinematic Viscosity of water at given temperature
 = Absolute roughness of the flow surface
A preliminary optimization was done during plant capacity optimization study. A

detailed optimization has been done for each of the two different support type tunnel
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sections. The purpose of optimization has been to determine the economically optimum
and practically possible size tunnel that will yield maximum benefit. The cost of
construction and the benefit of saving headloss are the two parameters that determine
optimum size of tunnel. The cost of per meter length of tunnel construction is
determined from the quantity of works and their prevailing market rates. The value of
benefit loss per meter length of tunnel is determined from the possible per unit rate of
energy. The details of optimization are shown in the following Figure.
Figure 8.1: Optimization of Headrace Tunnel Concrete lined
8.1.4 Surge Shaft

A partly underground but exposed to surface at top surge shaft is provided to protect
the horizontal penstock tunnel from the effect of water hammer caused by sudden
change in flow condition. A surge shaft:
(i) provides a free reservoir surface close to the discharge regulation mechanism,
(ii) supplies the additional water required by the turbine during load demand until the
water velocity in tunnel has accelerated to the new steady state value,
(iii) stores water during load rejection until the conduit velocity has been retarded to
the new steady state value, and
(iv) Protects to the penstock itself against detrimental effects of water hammer.
i. Hydraulic Design
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For calculating the top level and bottom level of the surge shaft, the worst combination
of friction, load condition and reservoir water levels are considered. Both worst
conditions of up-surge and down-surge in addition to stability conditions are considered
in determining the water levels and shaft size.
ii. Hydraulic Calculation

Hydraulic design of surge shaft has been done using thoma criterion. Basic equations
used for this purpose are given below:
The continuity equation:

dz Q  f .V

dt F
Zi 1  Zi  dz
The dynamic equation:
The change in velocity during the time dt is obtained as:
dV Z  c V V  K

dt L
g
Where, dz = Change in water surface elevation

dv = Change in velocity
dt = Time increment
c = coefficient of tunnel headloss
K = Head loss due to orifice
Detailed calculations have been done using following equations.

Area of Surge Shaft:
Where, Ast = Area of surge shaft

V0 = Velocity in tunnel
At = Area of tunnel
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Lt = Length of tunnel
hfo = Head loss in tunnel
Ho = Net head
Time of Oscillation:

At = Area of tunnel
Maximum Upsurge

At = Area of tunnel
Q = Turbine discharge
Ratio, Po:
Where, Hf = Headloss in tunnel

Zmax = Maxumum upsurge
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Down surge and upsurge:
Upsurge:
Where, Zmax = Maximum upsurge

Po = Ratio of Hfo to Z max
8.1.5 Powerhouse and Tailrace

The powerhouse will accommodate two units of vertical axis francis turbines.
Considering the topography, utilization of maximum head and structural stability, the
powerhouse will be semi-underground concrete box structure. It is located at the
foothill of Baikunthe village and the exposed rock line shows that the powerhouse
foundation is likely to be on alluvial deposit. Thus the powerhouse will be designed on
floating foundation. The outer concrete wall will be completely water tight and rigid to
withstand the external load due to earth and water pressure.
The powerhouse dimensions have been fixed based on the space requirement for
electro-mechanical items. The spacing of the turbines, dimension of the spiral casings,
space for service and maintenance of equipment, the geometry of the bifurcation, inlet
penstock pipe and outlet arrangement, etc have been considered in the dimensioning of
the powerhouse. The turbine center line has been fixed based on the average annual
monsoon flood level in tailrace outlet and turbine setting requirement to prevent
cavitation. The control building arrangement has been fixed based on the space
requirement for installation of different controlling equipment and other general
purpose usage. The tailrace canal is designed as free flow canal but will be box culvert
in shape so that backfilling on top would be done.
The dimension of the tailrace canal is fixed using the manning’s equation which is given
by:
2 1
1
Q AR 3 S 2
n
where, Q = Discharge (m3/s)
n = friction coefficient
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A = Area of flow, m2
R = Hydraulic Radius, m
S = Slope
8.2 General arrangement of Project Component

Upper Myagdi-I HEP will have the installed capacity of 2x26.75 MW. It is designed for
the discharge 33.6 cumecs. Ogee type weir with crest level at EL.1359.00 will divert the
design flow to the intake located at the left side of the River. It will have a layer of
abrasion resistance concrete of min. 20 cm. Two sluiceway of width 4.00 meters has
been provided before the intake. The sluice way 4.0 m width &4.8 m high will be
provided. The desanding system of the plant is located about at the distance of 140m
from the intake. It is underground type. It has two basins with length 120 meters,
width 7.50 meters &11.55 meters height.
Weir axis lies at about 100 meters downstream of the confluence of Myagdi&Mudikhola.
Rocks are exposed in both banks except riverbed. Exposed bedrock in steep slope of
Myagdi Khola is fine grained, grey to greenish grey phyllite with quartzite intercalation.
Quartz veins are present in the exposure with deformed boudin structures. Rocks are
thick to massive, medium hard and moderately weathered.
Foliation planes are measured along North east direction with Dip varying from 350 to
500. Other two prominent joint sets dip towards southwest and northwest at average of
70° to almost vertical. Joints are mostly tight occasionally slightly open, smooth, planer,
moderately spaced with moderate persistence. Intake area lies in recent alluvium
deposit.
Desanding system located at about 140.0m distance from the intake has two basins
designed to trap the sand silt of sizes equal to or greater than 0.2mm. These basins are
provided with flushing system to clean out the sediment deposits frequently. There are
vertical sliding gates at Upstream and down stream of the basin which will be used to
carry out the flushing of the sediment deposits. The flushing tunnel contains two parts
–upper part for inspection purposes and lower part for the discharge of sediment
loaded flow. The sediment flushing will be handled by using gates.
The mild pressurized headrace tunnel starts immediate downstream of the feeder
tunnels coming out of the desanding basins. It is approximately 500.00 meters long. It
has an inverted D-shaped section with finished diameter of 4.00 meters.
HRT will likely to pass through major portion of phyllite with quartzite rocks beginning
from the inlet. Downstream stretch of the alignment, then, passes through phyllite,
UM-IHP 112
schist and quartzite. The phyllite/schist of the stretch are fine to medium grained, grey
to greenish grey, weak to medium weak, slightly to moderately weathered. The
quartzite is fine to medium grained, grey to greenish grey, strong, slightly to
moderately weathered. However, several thin bands of shear zones are observed within
the Phyllitc Quatrzite at some locations along the tunnel alignment. The exact thickness
of these shear zones can be traced only after the tunnel excavation. No other major
structures such as fault and thrust are noticed in the tunnel section.The rock supporting
system comprising of steel fiber/wiremesh reinforced shotcrete and rockbolts is applied
according to the type of rock.
Surge shaft is located about 5500.00 meters downstream from the intake. It has a
orifice at its bottom. The diameter of the surge shaft is fixed at 6.50 meter. The
penstock starts from 60m far from the surge shaft. Penstock is about 770.00 meters
long.
Powerhouse complex with all its components is surface type.The powerhouse

accommodates 2 units 26.75 MW each.
8.3 Description of project Components

8.3.1 Headworks
Headworks area of the project lies at about 100 meter downstream of the confluence of
Myagdi Khola and Mudi Khola. Overflow spillway is a concrete gravity structure in Ogee
shape with its crest elevation at EL.1359.00. The crest is about 52 meters long. At its
Upstream a concrete slab is provided. The design flood is the flood occurring once in
100 years. Stilling basin is about 26 meters long. After stilling basin concrete block of
about 10m is provided. Launching apron is provided in both upstream and down
stream.
At the left side there is two number of sediment flushing sluiceway with a width of 4
meters. The invert of the sluiceway has the elevation EL.1352.00. The sluiceway is
separated from the rest of the weir with a reinforced concrete wall. The excavated
surfaces will be provided with the steel fiber/wiremesh reinforced Shotcrete and
fullygrouted rockbolts (Refer drawing UMIHP-HW-001 to 004 in Vol II).
he intake is located at the left side to withdraw the design discharge 33.6 cumecs. Its
size is about 3.5 meter high and 4 meter wide with an intermediate pier of 1.5 m
thickness. A rack cleaning machine will be required to clean the rack of the intake.
Intake gate with stop log is provided about 14m far from the intake trash rack location.
Size of intake gate is 4m wide and 3.5m high. The rock support system comprising steel
UM-IHP 113
fiber/wiremesh reinforced shotcrete and rock bolts will be applied to the excavation
surfaces (Refer drawing UMIHP-HW-005&006in Vol II).
Figure 8.2: General Layout of Headworks area
At a distance of 175 meter downstream from the intake the desanding arrangement has
been situated. It has two basins connected with two feeder tunnels. The basins are
provided with the inlet zones as well as outlet zones. The basin is 7.50m wide, 11.5 m
high and 120 meter long. The basin is equipped with vertical gates at its its end to
facilitate the flushing phenomena of the basin. At the end of the basin there is flushing
channel of width 3.0 meters. The flushing channel will be provided with a layer of 10
cm. thick abrasion resistant concrete. For operation of gates an enlargement of the
upper part of the desanding basin will be done to accommodate the gate hoisting
devices (Refer drawing UMIHP-SB-001 to 003 in Vol II).
Flushing tunnel will have an access facility for walkway on its upper part & discharging
section for sediment loaded flow on its lower part. The lower part is lined with a layer of
abrasion resistant concrete. The flow is regulated with the use of gate.
For excavation purposes an adit is planned to reach on the crown of the Desander
cavern. A small pilot tunnel will be made along its length. It helps to know the
conditions of the rock in the cavern & accordingly the support system can be made.
UM-IHP 114
8.3.2 Water Conveyance:

Water conveyance system of the project consists of headrace tunnel, vertical shaft and
penstock.Headrace tunnel with an inverted D-shaped section of 4.00 m diameter is
about 5500.00meter long. Flow velocity will be around 2.00 m/s. for design discharge.
Size of the tunnel is fixed with consideration of the requirements of construction

activities during its construction time. The section with 4.00 meter diameter has been
considered as the minimum required for drilling machines, muck transporters & other
necessary arrangement. About at the distance of 3300 meters from the desanding basin
end a construction adit is located so that tunneling in both the directions is possible. It
is about 175 meter long. Tunneling from the downstream side of desanding
arrangement is made possible with the provision of an adit 3. The construction adits will
be plugged with concrete after completion of construction.(Refer drawing UMIHP-HW-
001 in Vol II). With the provision of these adits it is possible to complete the tunnel
excavation in 2.5 years.
Major rock type through which the headrace tunnel passes is Schist/Phyllitic Quartzite
on its upstream part. The downstream part lies on gneiss.schist.quartzite & phyllite. The
phyllite/schist is fine to medium grained, grey to greenish grey, strong to medium
weak, slightly to moderately weathered. Quartzite is fine to medium grained, grey to
greenish grey, strong, slightly to moderately weathered. Several thin bands of shear
zones are observed within Phyllitic Quartzite at different locations along the tunnel
alignment. In average the rock along the tunnel alignment is expected to have medium
strength.
Different Rock support types are developed. According to rock type the suitable support
system has to be applied. The rock support system comprises of steel fiber/wiremesh
reinforced shotcrete & rockbolts. The grouting will be carried out as per site
conditions.(Refer drawing UMIHP-HRT-001in Vol II).
The surge shaft is located about 5500 m.from desanding arrangement and will be the
shaft type. It will be about 55 m. high and 6.50 m. in diameter.
Penstock will start from the lower elbow. The penstock will be about 770 m long m
(Refer drawing UMIHP-PP-001 in Vol II). The contact grouting & consolidation grouting
will be carried out as per site requirements in the penstock tunnel part.
UM-IHP 115
Figure 8.3: Optimization of steel lined penstock
8.3.3 Powerhouse Complex

Powerhouse & all its related parts are surface type. Powerhouse accommodates 2 Units.
Turbine type will be the Francis machines rotating about vertical axes. Preliminary sizing
of the powerhouse is about 30m long, 16m wide and 20m high.
Units will have the center line fixed at EL.1160.80. Valve floor, turbine floor, generator
floor andmachine hall will make the power house. Valve floor is comprised of the inlet
valve, pumps & all its related pipes. Turbine floor will have equipments related to
governor, mechanical workshop & cooling pipes. Generator floor will have switchgear
rooms. There will be loading, unloading area, rotor erection pad, maintenance area in
Machine hall. An overhead travelling crane will come in the machine hall to hoist the
equipments.
Tailrace cannel of about 220 m long will be a free flow type. It will be 4 m wide and
3.30 m high. The vertical gates in the tailrace cannel have been provided. At the end
there is a weir to keep the water maintained at the min. WL. Stone pitching is foreseen
on the side of the river for the protection against the scourm (Refer drawing UMIHP-
PH-001 to 005 in Vol II).
UM-IHP 116
Figure 8.4: General Layout of Powerhouse area
8.4 Generating Equipment

Hydroelectric power generation involves conversion of hydraulic energy into mechanical
energy by the hydraulic turbine, and conversion of mechanical energy into electrical
energy by an electric generator. The generating equipments housed in power house is
divided into mechanical generating equipments, comprising of turbines, inlet valves,
governor, cooling water supply, etc and electrical equipments comprising of generator,
excitation system, breakers, metering, protection and control equipments, etc. The
generating units with high efficiency build from modern state of the art technology and
the best one that can be realized in practice are considered in Upper Myagdi I
Hydropower Project (UMIHP). Both the equipments are discussed in detail in upcoming
section.
8.4.1 Type, Number of Units and Unit Size Selection

8.4.1.1 Turbine Type
Selection of type of turbine primarily depends upon the net head available and design
discharge. For the rated net head of 183.38meter and unit design discharge of
16.80m3/s, Francis Turbine having vertical shaft arrangement is the choice of the
turbine as presented in Figure 8.5
Selection of Turbine is carried out considering both the 2 units and 3 units option.
Rated discharge for two unit and three unit option is 16.8m3/s(marked by blue)and
11.2 m3/s (marked by green) respectively. With both the options the turbine for Upper
Myagdi-I Hydropower Projectfalls under Vertical Shaft Francis category.
UM-IHP 117
Figure 8.5: Turbine selection Chart

8.4.1.2 No of Units
Selection of number of units is based on the assumption that minimum number of units
could be installed for the more economic development of the project, reliability of
generation, and minimum loss of power during maintenance and operation at difference
stage of time. Unit capacity is generally determined by considering the available
discharge throughout the seasons, load demand, type of operations, efficiency of the
machine, etc. Single unit is not preferred due to the fact that total generation loss will
occur in time of the unit breakdown and hence two or three units will be suitable for the
Project. With the rated flow of 33.60m3/s of the project, for two units the unit rated
flow is 16.80 m3/s. The leastdischarge for Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project is 9.441
m3/s for the month of March. Percentage rated flow for unit turbine for two units option
UM-IHP 118
during least discharge is about 56.20%. Similarly, the percentage rated flow for unit
turbine during least discharge for three unit options comes out to be 84.29%.
Hence, with three unit option, whenever the units will be running, they are expected to
run at the higher discharge thus running at the higher efficiency. Definite boost in dry
season energy is expected as compared to two unit option. It is also worthwhile to
mention here that with the three units option there is expected increase in cost of
powerhouse, hydro-mechanical (for trifurcation), tailrace and the operation cost after
power generation.Francis Turbine as identified from section 1.1.1 above may be
operated over a range of flows approximately 40 to 105% of rated discharge. Below
40% rated discharge, there can be an area of operation where vibration and/or power
surges occur. Had the percentage rated flow for unit turbine during least discharge less
than 40%, we would have opted for 3 units
Therefore, for a given design discharge and net head available at powerhouse, 33.60
m3/s and 183.38 m respectively, two units vertical axis Francis turbine is recommended
and succeeding discussions are based on it.
8.4.1.3 Unit Capacity
In calculating the required power output for turbine and generator for this study,
certain values of efficiency are assumed:
Efficiency of turbine : 92%

Efficiency of generator : 97%
Efficiency of power transformer : 99%
Other design parameters for turbine are as follows:
Rated net head (H) : 183.38 m

Design discharge for each unit : 16.8 m3/s
Turbine output for each unit is calculated as below:
Turbine Capacity (Pt) = g x Q x H x ηt kW

= 9.81 x 16.8 x 183.38 x 0.92 kW
= 27804.69 kW
Therefore the adopted turbine output is 27.8 MW.
The output at generator (at a p.f. of 0.85) side is
UM-IHP 119
Generator Output (Pg) = Pt x ηg MW

= 27.8 x .97 = 26.96MW
Adopted Generator Output = 27 MW
Generator output in MVA = 27/0.85=31.76MVA
8.4.2 Powerhouse Mechanical Equipment

This section outlines the selection of and describes the major powerhouse mechanical
equipment proposed for the Upper Myagdi I Hydropower Project. Powerhouse
mechanical equipment of the project mainly consists of the followings:
 Hydraulic Turbine
 Governors
 Pressure oil system
 Main Inlet valve
 Cooling water system
 Drainage and Dewatering System
 Mechanical workshop and equipment
 Ventilation and air conditioning system
 Fire protection system
 Powerhouse overhead travelling crane
8.4.2.1 Hydraulic Turbine
As discussed earlier in the section, Francis turbine in vertical configuration is adopted

for the powerhouse of UpperMyagdi-I Hydropower Project.
General design and performance specification for the mechanical equipment shall be
based on the standards issued by IEC and other publications such as Water Power and
Dam Construction, United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
(USBR), IS-12800 (Part I) etc. On the above basis the design and selection of the
turbines are based on the following criteria derived from the main design parameters:
 The unit should be sized to allow 27.8 MW to be delivered from each unit
at rated head and discharge continuously.
 Turbine design and manufacturing shall permit easy dismantling of major
components for repair and maintenance based on a programme of routine
preventive maintenance.
 Turbine shall be designed to achieve its best performance at rated head
and discharge.
UM-IHP 120
 Turbine setting shall minimize cavitation and encourage natural turbine

venting, thus minimizing draft tube surge and avoiding draft tube column
rupture on load rejection.
Two turbine units shall be identical making it possible to interchange between any of
the units. These turbines will be designed to operate continuously between minimum
and maximum output and within the head range presented in table below without
exceeding the permissible stresses, vibrations and bearing temperatures and without
undue cavitations. Further detailed information about the turbine operation during flood
periods and part load will be studied in the next phase of the study.
It shall be equipped with a self lubricating oil type guide bearing. Bearing will consist of
support or housing and a removable bearing sheet. It’sguide bearing will be of self
lubricated and water cooled and complete with oil reservoir and water cooling coil.
Turbine runner and the guide vanes will be made of stainless cast or welded steel, and
thus resistant to cavitation and sand erosion. In addition the turbine will be equipped
with replaceable wearing plates and labyrinth rings (rotating type on the runner and
fixed on the turbine head cover and bottom ring), all made of stainless steel. To
facilitate maintenance, all guide vane bearings, joints of regulating mechanism etc. will
be self lubricating type. In addition, the link between the guide vanes and the
regulating ring will be equipped with a self-restoring safety system to prevent an
overstress of the regulating mechanism, if one or several guide vanes are blocked by
squeezed trash material or any other reason
Spiral casing will be rigidly embedded in concrete. A manhole of 600 mm in diameter

will provide access to the spiral casing from turbine floor.
Draft cone will be equipped with two hinged-door manholes and accessible all around.
The draft tube cone will be dismantable to enable an easy replacement of the runner
from downwards of the spiral case of the turbine.
All turbine instrumentation, such as unit control boards, and governor control cabinets
will be located close to the relevant units on the turbine floor. This is advantageous for
commissioning, service and maintenance.
Parameters Unit Specification
Type Vertical Francis
Number of Turbine Nos. Two (2)
UM-IHP 121
Nominal Output kW 27800 @ 183.38m net head
Gross Head m 198.20
Maximum Net Head m 195.54
Minimum Net Head m 183.38
Design Flow m3/s 16.80 (per turbine)
Rotational Speed rpm 428.5
Maximum runaway speed rpm 730
8.4.2.2 Turbine-Generator arrangement
Francis runner will be coupled to the generators by turbine shaft or by intermediate

shaft, if required for sideways dismantling, as will be addressed in detailed design. Both
couplings of the shaft will be bolted flanges.
Turbine Components
I. Runner
The runner will be of the reaction type. Turbine runner will be Forged disc type having
stainless steel 13-4 Cr-Ni material. The blades are manually ground to the hydraulic
shape.
Runner will be designed to withstand the loads imposed by any combination of fully
open wicket gate operation at any speed including maximum runaway speed and
maximum head without exceeding the stress limits.
Runner shall be coupled with shaft through shear pin & central bolt. The runner and
shaft coupling is realized by several pins that transmit the torque. This design with
central bolt and shear pins consists of a central bolt from draft tube side to fix the
runner to the shaft. The torque transmission to the shaft shall be done via shear pins.
UM-IHP 122
Figure 8.6: Turbine Generator Arrangement
II. Spiral Casing

Spiral case is a welded structure which is embedded. Major components of the spiral
case are its segments, stay rings and stay vanes. Stay ring is a welded steel plate
designed to direct water from spiral casing to the wicket gate. The stay ring is provided
with adequate number of fixed stay vanes. It also consists of an inlet flange for
connection to the main inlet valve. It incorporates foundation feet and anchor bolts for
levelling the foundation feet. A hand hole for inspection purpose is included. In
addition, a drainage pipe connection at the lowest point of spiral case as well as a by-
pass connection is provided. Connection tabs for instrumentation and air relief valve at
the top most point of the spiral case are provided.
Spiral case and stay rings are designed to withstand maximum transient pressures
under the worst condition of head and load with adequate safety margin. Hence, it will
be pressure tested in workshop at 1.5 times of the design pressure.
It is fabricated according to IS 2062 standard.
III. Head Cover

Function of head cover is to seal the turbine room from water leakages and take the
axial load acting on the runner crown side chamber. In addition, it contains the wicket
gate bearings and gives support to the shaft seal housing. It also contains the runner
seal wearing rings. Contact surface at the wicket gate blade position is corrosion
UM-IHP 123
protected by facing plates. Wearing ring will provide a seal between the runner and the
stationary part of the turbine and is bolted to the head cover assembly. Inspection
holes are provided to check the seal gaps.
Head cover consists of head cover, facing plates, coupling connection with stay ring,
hole for wicket gate stem bearing, coupling provision for runner crown seal wear ring,
holes for relief pipes, connection for clearance check at crown seal position and
coupling provision for shaft seal.
Head cover is a single plate design made of Structural Carbon Steel plates according to
IS 2062.
IV. Bottom Ring

Bottom ring contains the wicket gate lower stem bearings. Welded discharge ring
assembly consists of the bottom ring and discharge ring welded together. Wearing ring
shall be bolted with the discharge ring from the draft tube side.
Bottom ring and discharge rings are made of Structural Carbon Steel plates according to
IS 2062.
V. Wicket Gates
Wicket gates are machined according to hydraulic shape and are mounted between the
head Cover &bottom ring. To allow for smooth movement of the wicket gates, self
lubricated bearings are used. The self-lubricated bearings are mounted in the bearing
housing. A thrust ring is provided at the upper stem.
Wicket gates are casted from ASTM A 743 Grade CA-6 NM.
VI. Draft Tube

Draft tube’s shape is hydraulically optimized and is of circular shape design. As an
embedded part, it is normally assembled at site depending upon its size.It’scone is of
welded steel plates and have machined flanged for bolting with turbine discharge ring.
It is reinforced sufficiently on the outside by means of suitable ribs.
All parts of Draft tube are made of Carbon Steel Plates according to IS 2062
UM-IHP 124
Major Turbine Features and Dimensions
Based on site conditions specified above, the preliminary turbine dimensions are
calculated using Turbine-pro application. Some major dimensions of turbine and its
accessories are presented in Figure below. The runner diameter and runner weight is
approx. 1.549m and 3,183kg respectively.
Figure 8.7: Spiral case and Draft Tube Dimension
Figure 8.8: Distributor Dimension
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8.4.2.3 Governors
Each turbine unit will be provided with an efficient automatic governing system of
adequate capacity to control the turbine under all conditions. Control and operation of
the turbines will be possible either from the station control room or from the local unit
control panel for the purpose of commissioning and testing.
Control of the turbine will be accomplished by controlling the opening of the guide
vanes, with minimum loss of water so that pressure in the penstock never exceed given
limit. Governors will be designed and equipped for taking the unit automatically to the
rated speed at no-load operation. When the generator is connected to the grid, the
regulating parameters will be changed and load setting will be possible. Governors will
allow proper sharing of load between the two units under any condition of load and
speed without hunting. When the power house is interconnected with the existing
power system, units will be capable of synchronising with the other power stations in
the system.
Each unit will consists of a Digital Electronic Governor with Proportional Integral
Derivative (PID) action while running on isolated as well as on Load Sharing Module.
It will control the speed of the turbine via modulation of the guide vanes. The
governing system should be highly accurate and rugged.
The turbine governor system shall include following control functions:
1) Manual Start-up by sequences of linked control actions

2) Semi automatic start up by sequences of linked control actions
3) Full automatic start-up
4) Operation with automatic power limitations, with power feedback
5) Control of turbine output when the two units are operating in parallel
6) Frequency control
7) Load sharing between the units
8) Rated speed no-load control
9) Normal shut down
10) Emergency shut down
11) Provide oil pressure to control the main inlet valve
Its system will consist of the following main units:
1) Electronic speed governor

2) Speed monitoring system
3) Oil pressure system
4) Oil pressure accumulator system
UM-IHP 126
5) Hydraulic actuator control unit

6) Mechanical hydraulic over-speed device
7) Servomotor feed-back system
8) Instrumentation, alarm and safety devices and
9) Speed signal generator
Its regulation data shall be as follows:

Speed rise during full load rejection : ≤ 30%
Pressure rise during full load rejection : ≤ 40%
Inlet Valve Closing Time : ≤ 65 seconds
Guide Vane closing time : 4 to 16 seconds
8.4.2.4 Pressure Oil System
Pressurized oil is to be used for control the following:
a. Two nos. (Single acting) wicket gate servomotor (Open by oil pressure & close by
spring action).
b. One no. (Single acting) butterfly valve servomotor (Open by oil pressure and close
by counter weight).
c. Hydraulic Brake of Generator.
For application stated above, pressurized oil is required. Two nos. of Gear pumps, one
as main & other as stand-by which driven by electrical motors, supply oil to the system.
Loading / unloading of the pumps shall be made by the signals given from pressure
switch provided at oil pressure line. The standard oil pressure unit operates under a
pressure of 64 bars. The high pressure units are advantageous because they require
smaller servomotors and associated parts. In addition, they use bladder accumulators
(viz. Nitrogen), thus eliminating the need for a separate high compressed air station.
A common accumulator (bladder type) is provided for MIV & Turbine wicket gate, which
maintain the required pressure in the system and also shall use for pressure oil supply
during emergency operation or pump failure. The capacity of the accumulator shall be
sufficient to meet the pressure oil requirements.
8.4.2.5 Main Inlet Valve
Butterfly type main inlet valves will be used for each unit. The valves are operated by
oil pressure supplied from the pressure oil servomotor of the governor. The valve will
be closed by counter weight. Each inlet valve will be provided with a pressure oil
operated by-pass valve. The by-pass valve will be of needle valve type and operated by
pressure oil to be supplied from the governor system.
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8.4.2.6 Cooling Water Suply
Due to the risk of high content of suspended sediment in the “raw” water during the
monsoon period, two circuit cooling system has been chosen.
One closed loop water circuit; the characteristic of this circuit is such that treated water
is circulated in closed loop through heat exchangers of different components to be
cooled; the loop also consists of an external heat exchanger in which raw water is used
for cooling the water in closed circuit.
(The heat exchanger in which water circulated in closed loop exchanges heat with raw
water from tailrace is referred to as “external heat exchanger”)
Two numbers of external heat exchangers, one on service and one as standby shall be
placed at tail race itself for each unit, where treated coolant in closed loop exchanges
heat with the cooled water of tail race.
The closed loop system branches to supply cooling water in many parts namely:
1. Branch circuit for oil-to-water heat exchanger in combined thrust and guide
bearing
2. Branch circuit for air-to-water heat exchanger in generator
3. Branch circuit for oil-to-water heat exchanger in generator guide bearing
4. Branch circuit for oil-to-water heat exchanger in turbine guide bearing
5. Branch circuit for turbine shaft seal cooler
6. Branch circuit for oil-to-water heat exchanger in governor
Each closed loop system will be equipped with two (2) units of floor mounted pumps -
one on service and one on standby.
8.4.2.7 Drainage and Dewatering System
Drainage and dewatering systems for the project are provided as follows:
(a) Station Drainage
Drainage water from different parts of the power station is collected in a deep drainage
sump. The drainage water from the sump is removed by two submersible water pumps
to the tailrace.
(b) Unit Dewatering System
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The dewatering system is designed to collect the water drained out from draft tube,
turbine space & spiral case into the dewatering pit and then this water is pumped out
from dewatering pit with the help of submersible pumps into the tailrace channel.
Suitable size pump is provided to pump out the drained water from dewatering pit to
tailrace. The pumps are submersible type and when dewatering is required, the pumps
are lowered into the dewatering pit using chain pulley block. The pumps are operated
using a local electrical control panel near the pit in manual mode.
8.4.2.8 Mechanical Workshop
A mechanical workshop will be equipped with machine tools and devices appropriate for
the maintenance and repair of all mechanical components and machining of the smaller
components of the mechanical electrical equipment and hydraulic steel structures.
8.4.2.9 Ventilation and air Conditioning System
This system provides the fresh air to working personnel and removes the heat
generated by mechanical and electrical equipment. It also provides the smoke exhaust
ventilation in case of fire to minimize the circulation of smoke and production of
combustion. Ventilation and air conditioning system consists of fresh air handling unit
and air conditioning unit.
The fresh air handling unit is installed inside the ventilation room and consists of air
filters and three air admission fans, two “on duty” and one “stand by”. The unit sucks
air from outside and distributes it via appropriate ducting to different locations of
generator floor, turbine floor or other places such as control room.
The ventilation system will mainly consists of necessary numbers of axial ventilation
fans installed in appropriate locations. The various powerhouse rooms and areas like
switchgear room, office floor, machine hall floor whose ambient are not air
conditioned are continuously supplied with fresh filtered outside air.
8.4.2.10 Fire Protection System
The Fire Fighting System is designed to safe guard equipment installed in the
powerhouse & switchyard area.The fire protection system shall comprise of following
main parts;
1) Fire Hydrant System for Power House & switchyard and Pump House Equipment
UM-IHP 129
The Hydrant system consists of over ground piping network, which is fed by 2 Nos. of
horizontal centrifugal pumps to be installed in Powerhouse. The Hydrant valves are
installed on the stand post, which is connected to the main header pipe and each
hydrant valve is strategically located around Power House equipment.In the event of
fire, with the rapid fall in header pressure due to opening of hydrant valve the common
fire pump shall start automatically. In case of failure of main fire pump the standby fire
pump will come into operation at a time.
2) CO2 fire protection for Generator and Water Spray System for protection of
Transformers and switchyard equipments
Automatic High Velocity Water Spray System will be used to protect power
Transformers located in switchyard area. The transformers and switchyard equipments
will be surrounded by a ring fitted with open high velocity spray nozzles. The ring main
will be connected to the spray system header through a wet pilot deluge valve fitted
with water motor gong and with upstream and downstream Gate Valves. The header
will remain charged with water under pressure up (7.0 bar) to the inlet of the deluge
valve
Generator fire protection will be provided by a CO2 deluge system. The activation of CO2
fire protection system will be conditional to the operation of the flame or smoke
detectors in the generator pit combined with the operation of the generator differential
protection. The extinguisher release will only be initiated after a preset time delay and
confirmation by operators in order to allow evacuation of the personnel in the hall at
that moment. The extinguisher release will first initiate Unit shutdown procedures by
opening circuit breaker and excitation system before release.
3) Portable fire extinguishers

Following portable fire extinguishers will also be provided for protection against fire at
powerhouse and switchyard area.
a) Dry Powder type fire extinguishers (4.5 kg)
b) CO2 type fire extinguishers (4.5 kg)
c) Foam type extinguisher (9 lts.)
d) Fire Bucket
8.4.2.11 Powerhouse Overhead Travelling Crane
A double girder Electric Overhead Travelling (EOT) crane having main hook capacity of
85 tons will be installed inside the powerhouse. It will be used for lifting and handling
any equipment during installation, maintenance, and operation of the plant. Basic data
UM-IHP 130
and governing dimensions of the powerhouse crane are given below in Table 8.1.The
crane shall be complete in shape conforming to the standards of the Power House
service. Supply shall include current collector, down shop angle conductor with bracket,
insulator.The LT rails shall be supplied long with the crane.
Table 8.1: Details of PH overhead travelling crane:

Description Unit Quantity
Main Hook capacity Tons 85
Auxiliary Hook capacity Tons 10
Heaviest part to be lifted (Generator Tons 65

Rotor)- Approximately
Voltage 3 Phase, 400V, 50Hz
8.4.3 Powerhouse Electrical Equipment

The purpose of the studies pertaining to electrical equipment is to identify and
dimension the principal components of the powerhouse electrical equipment for safe
and economic plant operation of Upper Myagdi I Hydropower Project. The powerhouse
electrical equipment will mainly include generators, transformer, switchgears, protection
schemes, control systems, earthing systems, lighting systems, communication systems
etc. The ratings of the equipment are designed safely to cope with all normal and fault
conditions, avoiding any overstressing of material and equipment. Also equipment will
be of standard design (IEC/IEEE/IS/BS whichever is applicable), providing highest
degree of safety, reliability, availability and ease in operation.
8.4.3.1 Generator
Self-excited, self-regulated, vertical axis, three phase, salient pole, synchronous

generators built in accordance with IEC standard is proposed to be used.The generators
will have capacity to incorporate sufficient flywheel inertia to achieve stable frequency
control when running in isolated mode. The generator shall have antifriction / sleeve
bearing.
The stator winding of the generator will be made of individually insulated stranded
copper conductors, stacked and form pressed to constitute coils or half coils with the
design cross section. Each coil will be insulated for the full generator voltage.
The rotor will be of the salient pole type and built in accordance with the best practice
and designed to withstand safely all overloads and other stresses encountered during
UM-IHP 131
abnormal operating or runaway speed conditions. The poles will be built of thin steel
laminations, bolted under high pressure and furnished with dovetails for fastening to
the rotor rim. Rotor will be designed so as to allow dismantling of the poles without
excessive disassembly of the stator or rotor. The damper winding will be installed on
pole faces with interconnecting type windings in order to maintain the stable operation
of the generator.
The generator will be capable of withstanding, without damage, a 30 second, 3 phase

short circuit at its terminal when operating at rated MVA, at rated power factor and at
5% over voltage with fixed excitation.
The generator shaft will adopt single shaft structure. It will have maximum rigidity and
strength so as to guarantee no abnormal deformation and vibration at various speeds
(including maximum runaway speed) when run together with the turbine. The
generator shaft shall be made of a high quality medium carbon steel, properly heat
treated and accurately machined all over and polished at the bearing surface sand at all
accessible points for alignment checks. A complete set of test reports covering
metallurgical strength, & ultrasonic tests performed on each shaft shall be furnished.
The generators will have enough electric heaters and dehumidifiers and arranged in fan
shield of generator to protect it from moisture during shut down and to enable a start
up at any time without drying procedure. Insulation and other parts of the generator
will not be damaged when electric heater runs.
Resistance type temperature detectors of simplex / duplex type shall be arranged

symmetrically in the stator winding to indicate the temperature obtained during
operation. An Auxiliary Terminal box having suitable terminal blocks shall be mounted
on the generator frame to terminate the resistor element connections. The temperature
detectors leads shall be kept flexible to facilitate disconnecting them without
breakage.The preliminary main parameters of the generators are summarized in Table
8.2.
Table 8.2: Preliminary parameters for Generators
Description Parameters
Type Salient pole, synchronous
Capacity 31760kVA
Power Factor 0.85
Generating Voltage 11kV
Frequency 50Hz
UM-IHP 132
Class of Insulation F
Protection IP54
Excitation System Type Static
Efficiency ≥ 97%
Heating class B
Number of Poles 14
Synchronous Speed 428.5
Generator Cooling TEWAC
Generator fire protection will be provided by CO2. The activation of the CO2 fire
protection system will be conditional to the operation of the flame or smoke detectors in
the generator hall combined with the operation of the generator differential protection
or a manual push button instruction. Upon receipt of a signal from the fire detectors
and of the generator differential relays, an alarm will be initiated. The CO2 release will
only be initiated after a preset time delay in order to allow evacuation of the personnel
in the hall at that moment unless the operation is aborted by manual interruption
instruction.
It shall have following major protection system:
a) Reverse power Relay

b) Loss of field relay
c) High speed trip relay
d) Generator differential protection
e) Under and over frequency
f) Loss of synchronization relay
g) Field ground detect relay
h) Negative phase sequence relay
i) Overvoltage relay
j) Stator earth fault relay
8.4.3.2 Generation Voltage Level
As per IEC 60034-1, the rated voltage of generator with minimum rated output of
2500kVA lies between 11kV<Un≤15kV. Hence, considering the size of the generator,
insulation problem, switchgear connection and common practice, the generator voltage
of 11kV is selected.
These switchgear panels will have inbuilt bus bar cabinets housed in its back. Each
generator’s output terminals shall be connected to this 11 kV bus bar system with XLPE
UM-IHP 133
cable of adequate size. Switchgear and other protection and control components will
accompany them in the switchgear panel to complete the incoming generation power
circuit. Individual switchgear panels for each generator incomer and outgoing feeder
will be provided to complete the generation level switchgear system. This switchgear
system will work in co-ordination with the control panels accommodated in the control
room.
8.4.3.3 Generator Breaking
Generator shall be provided with Hydraulic operated brakes of sufficient capacity to

bring rotating parts of generator and turbine to stop from 30% of rated speed.
8.4.3.4 Generator Grounding
Neutral Grounding will be high resistance grounding type, provided with a dry type low
resistance connected to the secondary of distribution transformer.
Distribution transformer will be of 50Hz, enclosed dry type, air natural (AN) cooled.
The Primary of Transformer will be connected solidly between Neutral of Generator and
the Ground.
Ground current will be limited to 3 to 15Amp when the single phase to ground fault
occurs in the Generator terminal.
Primary voltage rating of distribution transformer will be 11kV and the secondary will be
240V.
Distribution transformer and Resistor will be mounted on a separate panel near to each
generator.
8.4.3.5 Excitation Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)
Each generator will be equipped with static excitation system consisting digitally
controlled Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) equipment, excitation transformers,
thyristors and auxiliary equipments and power supply.
Excitation system will be fully automatic with a provision for automatic change over to
the manual control system. Both the automatic and manual operation circuit will be
provided with independent power supply and phase control unit.
The excitation system will comprise of
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a. Excitation power supply transformer of dry type

b. Potential and current transformers
c. Static thyristor fully inverting double bridge (one of the bridge as standby)
rectifier with HRC standby fuses
d. Field circuit breaker
e. Field flashing equipment
f. Electrical braking equipment
g. Field discharge resistor
h. Crowbar circuit
i. Digital type AVR including alarm, protection, and monitoring and control
equipment
j. Interconnecting cables and wirings
Excitation power shall be taken from the generator itself, through a branch-off from the
generator terminal bus bars. Excitation will be independent of any outside power supply
except for field flashing during initial built up of generator voltage.4
Excitation transformer will be AN cooled, of dry insulated type using non -flammable
Class F insulating material. Rated power of this transformer shall be 10% above the
power necessary for the excitation of one unit.
Two full-wave rectifier bridges (thyristor converters) connected in parallel so that one
bridge may be removed for maintenance whilst retaining full load excitation without any
restrictions.
Excitation shall be suitable for maintaining the voltage for a grid voltage variation of ±
5% & for a frequency variation of ±3%. AVR shall be sensitive enough to track and
respond the changes upto +/- 0.5% of normal voltage (average of 3 phases) of the
Generator when operating under steady load conditions (for any load) or excitation
within operating range and shall initiate corrective action without hunting. Response
time of excitation system shall be less than 20ms.
After the initial maximum voltage following any load rejection up to 100% of rated load,
the AVR shall restore the terminal voltage to a value not more than 5% above or below
the voltage being held before load rejection and shall maintain the voltage within these
limits throughout the period of generator over speed.
UM-IHP 135
The AVR shall have the following features:
a. Two auto channel with one manual mode for voltage control
b. Voltage / frequency during accelerating and decelerating of machine
c. Power factor / KVAR control mode
d. Reactive power shedding
e. KVAR limit
f. Diode failure indication
Besides these, equipment for limiting and regulating (both automatic/manual mode) on
generator rotor current shall be included. Voltage setting devices and necessary control
switches shall be included.
8.4.3.6 Power Transformers
Power transformers are used to step-up the generated power so as to evacuate the
generated power to the nearest substation. Main transformer in Upper Myagdi I
Hydropower Project shall have three single phase, outdoor, oil immersed, ONAN type,
each of 10500kVA, to form single three phase bank on each unit. There shall also be a
provision of one spare transformer.
Table 8.3: Data for Power Transformer
S.No Description Parameters

1 Number of Transformers 6*1 Phase to form a three phase bank in each unit
with 1 spare (7Nos)
2 Type Outdoor, oil immersed
3 Cooling ONAN
4 Rating 10.5 MVA
5 Maximum Voltage Primary side – 11kV and Secondary Side -132kV
6 Rated Voltage (Line to Line) Primary side – 12kV and Secondary Side -145kV
7 Rated Lightning Impulse withstand Primary side - 75kV and Secondary Side -650kV
Voltage
8 Power Frequency Induced Over Voltage Primary side - 28kV and Secondary Side -275kV
9 Type of Tap changing Off Load on High Voltage side
10 Tap Changing Range ±10% in Steps of 2.5
11 Principal tapping 132kV
12 Vector Group reference YNd11
13 Minimum Short Circuit Impedance 10%
UM-IHP 136
Following Protections are implemented in Power Transformers at UMIHP

1. Transformer differential Protection (87T)
2. Restricted Earth fault Protection (64T)
3. Thermal Protection (49)
4. Pressure Relief device (63)
5. Buchholtz (gas operated relays) protection
6. Low oil Level alarm
8.4.3.7 Auxiliary Transformers
Auxiliary transformer of station supply transformers provides electrical supply to the

power house electrical equipments. Auxiliary transformer, used for station power
supply, shall be three phases, indoor, oil immersed, AN type of 500kVA. Auxiliary
transformers shall be two in numbers with one on duty and one as stand by.
Table 8.4: Data for Auxiliary Transformer and isolation transformer at UMIHP

1 Number of Transformers 2X3 phase
2 Type Indoor
3 Cooling AN
4 Rating 500kVA
5 Maximum Voltage Primary side – 11kV and Secondary Side – 0.4kV
6 Power Frequency Induced Over Voltage Primary side - 28kV and Secondary Side 3kV
7 Maximum Voltage (Isolation) Primary side – 11kV and Secondary Side – 11kV
8 Type of Tap changing Off Load
10 Vector Group reference Dyn11
11 Minimum Short Circuit Impedance 4%
8.4.3.8 Distribution/ Isolation Transformers
Distribution/Isolation transformer provides dedicated electrical supply from powerhouse to the

headworks, residential and office area. The distribution/isolation transformershall be three
phase, outdoor, oil immersed, ONAN type of 1000kVA.
Table 8.5: Data for distribution/Isolation Transformers

1 Number of Transformers 1X3 phase
2 Type Out door oil Immersed
UM-IHP 137
3 Cooling ONAN
4 Rating 1000 kVA
5 Maximum Voltage Primary side – 12kV and Secondary Side – 12kV
6 Rated Lightning Impulse withstand Primary side - 75kV and Secondary Side 75kV
Voltage
7 Power Frequency Induced Over Voltage Primary side - 28kV and Secondary Side 28kV
8 Type of Tap changing Off Load on star voltage side
10 Vector Group reference Dyn11
8.4.3.9 MV Switchgears
Upper Myagdi-I hydropower project consists of two numbers of AC generators each

rated 11kV, 50Hz, 31760kVA, 0.85power factor and connected to 132kV system outdoor
switchyard through a single phase power transformer rated 10.5MVA, at 132/11kV to
form three phase bank. Each generator output is connected to the 11kV busbar through
a 11kV switchgear consisting of vacuum circuit breakers.
Each Generator shall be synchronized with 11 kV Vacuum Circuit Breaker (VCB). All the
generators circuit breakers and fuse switches will be arranged in one row accessible
from the front side with sufficient space on both side of the switchgear assembly for
safe operations.
There will be following number of switchgears in PH

 2 No of 11 kV Generator output switchgears.
 2 No of 11 KV Bus-Coupler.
 2 No. of 11kV switchgear for auxiliary transformers.
 2 No. of 11kV switchgear for Isolation Transformer.
Each switch gear comprises of

 Vacuum Circuit Breaker
 Cable box for incoming and outgoing cables
 Current transformers
 One unit of Voltage transformer sets for synchronization for each generating unit.
 One set of Lightning arrester with lightning arrestors and capacitors
 Air insulated three phase bus-bar system, extensible to make connection with the
bus-bars of other adjacent panels
UM-IHP 138
A. Current Transformer
The current transformers will be of dry, synthetic resin insulated type. All secondary
connections will be connected to a terminal block which will be located in a dust-proof
and watertight terminal box and will be clearly labeled. An earth connection to the
housing will be provided.
Current transformer will be designed to carry continuously a current of 120% of the

rated current. Rated current of the secondary windings will be 1 A.
The core for measuring purposes will have the following characteristics:
Accuracy class 0.5
Cores for protection purposes will have the following characteristics:

Accuracy class 5P
The rating, burden and location of current transformer shall be as specified in Single
Line Diagram (SLD).
B. Voltage Transformer
The indoor voltage transformers will be of the single-phase dry synthetic resin type. All
primary and secondary connections will be clearly marked. An earth connection to the
housing will be provided. Earthing of the cores and the neutrals will be done on the
transformers and not on the terminal boxes.The windings for measuring purposes will
be designed for accuracy according to class 0.5.
Voltage transformers will have an additional secondary winding for earth fault
protection, connected in open delta with a resistive burden. The accuracy class will be
3P.
Secondary will be provided with miniature circuit breakers with alarm contacts and
primary will be protected with a fuse.
Burdens of all windings will not be less than 125% of the overall computed (design)
burden of the connected apparatus including cables.
UM-IHP 139
Table 8.6: Details of 11kV Potential Transformer
Particular Specifications
Type Indoor, oil-immersed
Rated primary voltage 11kV/√3
Rated secondary voltage 0.11kV/√3
Impulse withstand voltage (peak) 75kV
Frequency 50Hz
Burden As specified in SLD
Accuracy As specified in SLD
C. Lightning Arrestors
Lightning arresters will be of the gapless metal oxide (MOA) type. Generator will be
protected against incoming voltage surges by means of lightning arresters connected
between phases and earth.
Outdoor lightning arresters will be mounted on steel structures and will be fitted with a
pressure relief device. Surge counters shall be supplied. Earth conductor from the
arrester to the counter, as well as the terminal of the counter, will be suitably insulated
or screen protected against accidental touching. Lightning Arrestors for the protection
of generator will be of rated voltage 12kV.
Table 8.7: Details of 11kV Lightning Arrestor

Type Indoor, gapless Znoarrestor
Frequency 50Hz
System voltage 11kV
Rated voltage 9kV
Power frequency withstand voltage 28kV
Nominal discharge current 10kA
UM-IHP 140
D. Vacuum Circuit Breaker
Metal enclosed, Cubicle indoor type, three phase vacuum circuit breakers are used in
the 11kV side of Power house equipments. This includes, Generator Circuit Breaker (2
Nos), Delta side of Station auxiliary Transformer (2Nos) and Delta side of Power
Transformer (1 Nos)
Table 8.8: Data for Generator Circuit Breaker
S.No. Description Parameters

1 Type Vacuum, Metal Enclosed, Cubicle Indoor Type
2 Rated Continuous Current As shown in SLD
3 Rated Short Circuit Breaking Current 31.5kA and 25kA as per SLD
4 Number of Circuit Breakers 5
5 Operating Sequence O-3min-CO-3min-CO
8.4.3.10 Diesel Generator
It is proposed that one emergency generator set be installed in the diesel generator
building to provide an emergency source of power in the event of a system and power
outage. Diesel generator would be of adequate rating to supply sufficient power to
enable the black starting of one unit, and the operation of drainage pumps, a governor
oil pump, a bearing oil pump, an air compressor for governor system, and feed the
battery chargers. Diesel generator for power house purpose will be of 350kVA, 400V,
50Hz, 3 phase type. The diesel generator shall have heating class B, insulation class F
and IP23 type of Protection of enclosure.
8.4.3.11 DC Power Supply
For the utmost reliability, control, protection, alarm, and tele-metering equipment will
be fed from a dc supply. Emergency lighting can be dc, autonomous individual units or
with UPS (uninterruptable power supply). For the purpose of this study, a dc battery
supplied emergency lighting has been selected. The DC Auxiliary system in UMIHP will
have 110V/450Ah DC battery bank. A DC–DC converter shall generate 48V DC,
from110V DC system and 24V DC, if required. Vented Type Lead Acid batteries are used
for DC Auxiliary system of UMIHP.
1 No. float and float cum boost charger (SCR controlled) operating on 3 Phase,415 V,
50 Hz, AC supply of solid state design to charge the battery shall be used. The
operation of the charger shall be automatic. Normally, float charger will be feeding the
UM-IHP 141
load and charging battery. In case battery requires boost charging the same shall be
done automatically
Following meters shall be provided in the charger

 A.C Voltmeter 0 – 500 V
 D.C. Ammeter
 D.C Voltmeter 0-200 V, DC
 Centre zero DC Ammeter 50 A- 0 – 50 A for battery.
 AC Main supply failure relay
 Rectifier fuse failure relay
 Charger failure relay
 Battery earth fault relay
 Over current Relay.
 Auxiliary Relay
8.4.3.12 Grounding/ Earthling System
Adequate earthling is necessary to be provided inside the powerhouse and the

switchyard. The grounding/earthling grid will be designed such that the touch and step
potentials will be within the safety margin. The overall grid earth resistance will not
exceed 1 ohm.
Low grounding resistance will be achieved by increasing the grounding area i.e.,
interconnecting the powerhouse ground system with the tailrace pond and other areas.
Ground resistivity measurements will be required which will be performed during the
detail design of the grounding grid.
Power House roof shall be provided with Lightning spikes properly connected to ground
mat.
8.4.3.13 Black Start/Island Mode Operation
The power plant shall have black start facilities and shall be able to operate in islanding
mode operation. Detail of islanding mode of the operation shall be as fixed in the
connection agreement or as per the NEA grid code.
8.4.3.14 Communication System
For communications between UAKH power house, other power houses / substations
together with the Load Dispatch Center (LDC) of NEA, trunk dialing telephone system
UM-IHP 142
(either CDMA, V-SAT communication or Landline phone will be used) and provision of
communication system via fibre optic cable is also considered.
Optical fibre cable strung through overhead distribution poles will be used for means of
communication and data exchange between Powerhouse and Headworks.
In the control room one or more telephone service will also be installed for trunk dialing
communications with the LDC and other substations.
An automatic PABX telephone system is envisaged for the communication between

different sections of powerhouse, offices, the residence of operational staffs, guard
house and headworks area.
8.4.3.15 Illumination
400V/230V, 50 Hz, 4 wire star connections supply will provide single phase supply for
the illumination circuits for normal lighting.
Normal lighting in the rooms of the power house through corresponding Distribution
Boards (DBs) will be by fluorescent fixtures and energy efficient PL-S fixtures. Apart
from this arrangement; emergency DC supply circuits and fixtures will provide
illuminations, in critical areas when supply from Station auxiliary transformer fails. In
the main entrance incandescent lamp lighting fixtures will be installed. Lighting level /
illuminations designed are presented below:
450 lux – for the Control room, Office room, Electrical workshop, Mechanical workshop,
service bay, turbine floor, Generator floor and MIV floor.
300 lux – for the LV-switchgear room, MV- switchgear room, Battery room and other
facilities.
200 lux – for the pump pits and surge tank area.
150 lux – for the stair cases.
Socket outlets will be provided in the office room, control room, battery room, service
bay, alternator and turbine floor.
8.4.3.16 Control and Scada System
Computer supervisory and control system at UMIHP shall adopt the full distributed
mode in open environment in accordance with international open system concepts so
that compatibility of selection of various computers, transplantability of system
expanding and renewal of equipment shall be assured
UM-IHP 143
The open environment shall include application development environment, user

interface environment and interlink of system environment, which shall comply with the
specifications of the open environment recommended by international open system
organizations.
Computer supervisory and control system shall have station control level (main control
level) and local control unit level.
Station control level, real time supervisor and control centre of the plant shall be
responsible for automatic functions of the whole plant (AGC, AVC, generating
optimization control etc.), historical data process (various operation tables, operation
archives of important equipments and various operating parameters etc) and man
machine dialogue of whole plant (operation monitor of plant equipment, accident and
failure alarm, manual intervention of operating equipment, modifying and setting of
various parameters for the Computer Supervisory and Control System). Station control
level shall be made up of the relevant equipment located at computer room and central
control room. Main computer will adopt dual computers for redundancy and hot
standby. At normal condition a computer works and the other is backing-up. When
master computer receives failure, the main computer is changed-over by back-up.
Local Control unit (LCU) shall have turbine-generator local control unit. Each LCU shall
manipulate production procedures and accomplish the supervision and control functions
under controlling. LCUs will be connected with the production procedures by means of
input and output interface, with the network by communication interface and
exchanging information with main control level through network. The information shall
be exchanged among LCUs. LCUs may be independent from main control level
relatively. They shall directly finish real time data acquisition and pre-processing,
supervision, adjustment and control etc. of unit equipment conditions with station
control level divorced.
Operator’s console in the central control room shall be equipped with CRT display that
displays operation conditions of the power station. When the power station is under
normal operation, the operator can monitor the conditions of each equipment in the
power station. Major monitoring items shall be as follow:
 Operating conditions and output of generating units

 Operating conditions of auxiliary equipments of the generating units
 Operating conditions of the transformers
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 Status of circuit breakers, disconnectors and earthing switches.

 Operating conditions and transmission power of power lines
 Opening level of gates, main inlet valves, nozzle openings and deflector positions
 Operation mode of station service power, and
 Other important parameters
When the system receives any fault or the equipment has abnormality during operation,
the supervisory control system shall automatically give alarm in both sound and picture
striking to the eye to indicate nature, location, time and abnormal parameter values of
the event.
8.4.4 Interconnection Point Switchyard and Transmission Line

8.4.4.1 High Voltage Switchyard
132kV outdoor type switchyard shall be constructed near the powerhouse to evacuate
the generated power. Switchyard components shall be suitable for hot, humid and
moderately polluted environment. Switchgear system for this switchyard shall be
equipped with circuit breakers, current transformers, potential transformers,
disconnecting switches with/without earthing and lightning arrestors and synchronous
check relay etc. for 132 kV incoming and outgoing circuits. Switchgear system here will
work in coordination with the associated control panels accommodated in the control
room and shall ensure the overall protection of the switchyard.
8.4.4.2 132kv Measuring and Protection Equipments
Measuring and protection equipments shall be installed for 132kV side protection of the
outgoing line as well as the interconnection substation as shown in the SLD. Technical
details of measuring and protection equipment shall be as follows:
Table 8.9: Details of 132kV SF6 Breaker

Type SF6, Outdoor
Nominal system voltage 132kV
Rated maximum voltage 145kV
Rated continuous current 1600A
Rated short circuit breaking current 40kA

One minute power frequency withstand
275kV
voltage (rms)
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Frequency 50Hz
Re-closing duty cycle O-0.3sec-CO-3min-CO
A. 132kV Current Transformer
Technical details of current transformer will be as follows:
Type Outdoor
Nominal system voltage 132kV
Rated maximum voltage 145kV
Frequency 50Hz
Current ratio As shown in SLD
Accuracy As shown in SLD
B. 132kV Potential Transformer
The technical details of potential transformer will be as follows
Type Indoor
Rated primary voltage 132kV/√3
Rated secondary voltage 0.11kV/√3
Frequency 50Hz
Accuracy As shown in SLD
8.5 Hydromehanical Works

8.5.1 General
The purpose of the study pertaining to hydraulic steel structures is to identify and
dimension the principal components of the hydraulic steel structures for safe and
economic plant operation of Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project.
Hydraulic Steel Structures at Head Works, Desander, Tunnel Inlet, and Tailrace of
Upper Upper Myagdi-IHydropower Project mainly consist of the following:
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Head Works
 Undersluice/Spillway
 Stoplogs
 Intake
 Trashracks
 Stoplogs
 Intake gates
 Desander
 Desander Flushing gates
Tunnel Inlet
 Tunnel Inlet gates
Powerhouse
 Draft tube gates
Tailrace
 Tailrace outlet gates
8.5.2 Description of the Hydraulic Steel Structures

8.5.2.1 Hydraulic Gates, Stoplogs and Trashracks
Hydraulic gates will be provided at different locations of headwork, desanders, tunnel

inlet, and tailrace for regulation of discharge, maintenance of the structures and
emergency purpose. Hydraulic gates will be fixed wheel, sliding and/or flap type.
Vertical lift fixed wheel and slide type of gates are proposed according to their function
and purpose.
8.5.2.2 Flushing Gate at Undersluice
In order to prevent the entry of the sediments in to the intake, two vertical gates are
provided on the left bank. Size of the opening is of 4.0m wide and 4.8m high to flush
the bedload sediments which will be accumulated in front of the Intake.The Invert level
of the flushing gate is fixed at elevation of 1352.00m
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8.5.2.3 Stop-logs and Gantry Crane at Dam
Stoplogs will be provided at under sluice and spillway for maintenance of gates and
other structures and flow regulation. They will be made of structural steel and shall be
all welded construction. Skin plate and seal arrangement will be on the upstream side.
The uppermost element will be equipped with filling valve, which will be opened by the
dead weight of the grappling beam and closed by springs. Rubber seals will be of music
note shape at sides and of rectangular shape at the bottom. Embedded parts will
include the guide and seal frames, as well as dogging devices for storage of the
stoplogs in the slots and respective storage pit. Gantry Cranes for handling stoplogs will
be provided.
Gantry crane will be capable of raising and lowering the stoplogs with a grappling beam
and lifting small loads during maintenance and repair of gates. The crane will be of a
welded box type construction with four legs supported on wheels. The wheel will be
tracked on rail. It will be electrically operated and driven by two synchronous drive
wheels.
8.5.2.4 Intake Gates
Vertical lift fixed wheel type gate will be provided at intake for regulation of flow. It
shall consist of gate leaf, guide frame, guide rollers, and hoisting equipment. It will be
made of structural steel as stated above and will be of all welded construction. Rubber
seals will be provided for water tightness of the gates. Guide frame of gate will consist
of a sill beam, side frames, and lintel beam. Hoisting equipment of suitable capacity will
be provided for lifting and lowering the gate. The principal dimensions and main
features of the gates are presented below:
Clear width : 4m
Height : 3.5m
Sill elevation : El. 1354.70
Total number of gates : 1
8.5.2.5 Intake Coarse Trashracks
The intake trash-rack shall prevent larger floating, or semi-floating matters entering the
intake and settling basins.
Three sets of Trashrack will be provided at the Intake for the purpose of preventing
injurious matter and floating matter going to the water turbines and other equipment.
Clear opening (width between bars) of the rack bars will be smaller than the smallest
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opening between the runner blades. Trash rack will be designed to withstand the
impact forces, static loads and vibration phenomena which are likely to occur due to the
flow of water through rack bars. Suitable trash cleaning equipment will be provided at
coarse and fine trashracks.
Each trash rack will be made of structural steel plates spaced parallel to each other by
spacers. It will be supported by horizontal beam, built up type construction and fixed
by the steel bolts, nuts and washer. Rack bar spacing will be of suitable size.
It will consist of the bar elements, supporting beams and all other necessary
components. The trashrack panels will be fixed on the supporting beams using
corrosion-resisting bolts, nuts and washers. The bars elements of the trash rack will be
of rectangular section bars. Suitable thickness of the bars shall be used. All bar
elements shall be rigidly fixed on the supporting beams to prevent vibration.
Supporting beams will be of I-beam, H-beam, built-up and/or angle type steel
construction and all or both ends of the beams shall be embedded in the concrete
structure. The maximum deflection of the supporting beams shall be less than 1/500 of
the clear span at the centre under full load.
8.5.2.6 Stoplogs at Intake
Stoplogs will be provided for repair and maintenance of Intake gate. It will be handled
by the gantry crane at Intake. They will be stored partly in the upper section of the
stoplog slot and in the separate storage pit if required near the operating deck.
8.5.2.7 Desander Flushing Gates
The gates shall consist of gate leaf, guide frame, guide rollers, and hoisting equipment.
The gates will be made of structural steel as stated above and will be of all welded
construction. Rubber seals will be provided for water tightness of the gates. The guide
frame of gate will consist of a sill beam, side frames, and lintel beam. The hoisting
equipment of suitable capacity will be provided for lifting and lowering the gate.
8.5.2.8 Penstock Inlet Gate at Surge Tank
Inorder to ease of maintenance of penstock pipe and powerhouse equipment, vertical

gate is installed at the downstream of the surge tank. This gate prevents problem of
dewatering of the water filled in the headrace tunnel during the maintenance period.
The provision of such gate found much beneficial for the project. The gate is 2.3m wide
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and 5.00 m high. Vertical gates are operated by a hoisting mechanism. The gates are
fixed at sill level of 1333.08m
8.5.2.9 Tailrace Gates
Tailrace gate of size of 4.5m wide and 3.5m high are provided at the outlet of the
powerhouse. This gate prevents the back water flow from the Myagdi Khola in the case
of flash flooding and maintenance purpose. Vertical gates are operated by a hoisting
mechanism.
8.5.2.10 Steel Penstock Pipe
The Steel penstock of Upper Myagdi-IHydropower Project will consist of straight pipes,
bends, branches (manifolds), trust collar, seepage rings, manholes and other necessary
components. The internal design pressure will be the sum of the static water pressure
and water hammer. The external pressure, being the ground water pressure, is
calculated from the vertical distance from the steel lining axis to the ground surface on
the top of the hill.
Density of the steel is 7850 kg/m3. Penstock will be designed to take of internal and
external pressure by shell itself. Total length of penstock pipe is 770m and the diameter
of the pipe is 3000mm. Thickness of the steel liner will vary from 14mm to 24mm.
UM-IHP 150
Chapter 9–Power and Energy
UM-IHP 151
9.1 Introduction
This chapter includes power and energy scenario of the project and the country.
Regarding the generated power and energy, NEA is solely responsible for the planning
and distribution of power & energy generated by its own as well as private hydropower
plants. All the private developers require PPA with NEA prior to the construction of
hydropower plants. Hence, NEA is the sole buyer of the power generated from the
project. Once the power is generated, it will be connected to the national grid and the
private hydropower plants get paid as per the rate in Power Purchase Agreement.
9.2 Plant Characteristics

Installed capacity of the power plant as determined for the design discharge of 33.6
m3/sec is 53.5 MW. Adopted monthly turbine discharge is presented in the Table 9.1
below.Operating head of the power plant is fixed at the net head of 183.38 m. Energy
estimate of the project was carried out using a custom spreadsheet program, which
calculated monthly generation, based on the given monthly flows and installed capacity.
Input data and assumptions used for the calculation are given below.
Table 9.1:Input Parameters and Assumptions for energy calculation

Full Supply Level (FSL at Intake Site) El. 1359 m
Tail water level El. 1160.80 m
Gross head 198.20 m
Net head 183.38 m
Design Discharge 33.6 m³/s
Number of Units 2
Installed capacity = 26.75 x 2 53.5MW
Overall efficiency 88.29 %
Downstream Release (Compensation flow) 1.049 m³/s
9.3 Energy Definition

The various terms used are defined below:
9.3.1 Dry season energy:

It is defined as the portion of the hydrologically available energy during the months
Paush, Magh Falgun and Chaitra (Mid Dec – Mid Apr). These months are the driest
months of the year in Nepali calendar.
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9.3.2 Wet season energy:

It is defined as the energy generation above the dry season energy limited by the
installed capacity. In other words, wet season energy is the difference between the
energy based on the average hydrology and the dry season energy.
9.4 Head Loss

The project will have a gross head of 198.20 m. The net head after deduction of head
losses like frictional loss, turbulence loss and other singular losses vary according to the
turbine discharge. The head loss varies from 2.53 m at the minimum flow and 14.11 m
at the maximum flow. The details of headloss for each mean daily flow is calculated and
presented in the annex. The outcome of headloss calculation is presented in Table 9.2.
Table 9.2:Monthly Headloss

Shrawan
Mangsir
Baisakh
Ashwin
Chaitra
Bhadra
Falgun
Jestha
Ashad
Poush
Kartik
Magh
Days
Avg, m 4.91 13.88 14.11 14.11 14.11 14.11 12.62 4.43 2.79 2.93 2.53 2.96
9.5 Efficiency of the plant

Efficiency of a Francis turbine is dependent on the flow. Maximum efficiency is attained
only at rated discharge. Hence, large flow variations in the river may require more
turbine units of smaller capacities from efficiency considerations. However, for a given
plant capacity, the cost of the project generally increases with the increase in the
number of turbine units. In order to keep the cost minimum, two numbers of units have
been selected for this project.
The monthly flow (m3/s) available for energy generation at intake site of Upper Myagdi-
I is given below:
Table 9.3: Monthly Flow (m3/s)

Shrawan
Mangsir
Baisakh
Ashwin
Chaitra
Bhadra
Falgun
Jestha
Ashad
Poush
Kartik
Magh
17.55 33.60 33.60 33.60 33.60 33.60 31.85 16.25 10.65 11.25 9.45 11.35
As seen from the above monthly data, the monthly discharge on the river varies from
9.45 m3/s to 33.60 m3/s. Since the efficiency of the Francis turbine is dependent of
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discharges, the generation capability of the plant will depend on the number of turbine
unit selected. For this project the number of units proposed is two.
9.6 Energy and Power

As per new Rules of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of Nepal Electricity Authority,
(NEA), the price of the energy is NRs. 8.40 (Escalated Value NRs. 10.64 after 8 year)
for the months Paush, Magh, Falgun and Chaitra (Mid Dec – Mid Apr). The rest of the
month has the energy price of NRs 4.80 (Escalated Value NRs. 6.08 after 8 year). The
breakdowns of the energy estimate per month are given in the Table 9.4. Detailed
calculations are presented in annexes of Vol III. The total energy per month generated
is depicted in Figure 9.1. The power output from the plant is estimated by the following
formula:
P = 9.81 x  x Q x H (kW)
Therefore,
P = 9.81 x 0.8829 x 33.6 x 183.62= 53.44 ̴ 53.50MW
Where:
η = 0.8829 (combined efficiency of Francis turbine, generator and transformer)
Q = 33.6 m3/s (design flow)
H = 183.62 m (Effective head)
Table 9.4: Monthly Deemed Energy Estimate

Downstream release 1.05 m3/s
Net Head 183.38 m
Efficiency 88.20 %
Design discharge 33.6 m3/s
Installed Capacit 53.5 MW
Outage 5%
Month Flow for Energy, Net Head, Monthly Power Monthly Energy
m3/s m (kW) (GWh) after
outage
Baisakh 17.55 193.04 26,458 18.70
Jestha 33.60 183.62 53,436 37.77
Ashad 33.60 183.38 53,366 38.94
Shrawan 33.60 183.38 53,366 37.72
Bhadra 33.60 183.38 53,366 37.72
Ashwin 33.60 183.38 53,366 37.72
Kartik 31.85 184.94 51,017 34.90
Mangsir 16.25 193.55 27,240 11.65
Poush 10.65 195.27 17,034 11.97
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Magh 11.25 195.12 18,104 10.09

Falgun 9.45 195.54 14,745 12.51
Chaitra 11.35 195.09 18.294 11.65
Note:
1. Dry Season (Mid-Dec/Paush to Mid-Apr/Chaitra) 46.22GWh
2. Wet Season (Mid-Apr/Baisakh to Mid Dec/Marga) 261.46GWh
3. Total energy 307.68 GWh
45.00
40.00
35.00
30.00
Energy (GWh)
25.00
20.00
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
Months
Figure 9.1: Monthly Energy (GWh)
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Chapter10 - Power Evacuation Study
UM-IHP 156
10.1 Scope and Objectives

Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project (53.5 MW), proposed to be developed by
Himalayan Infrastructure Fund Ltd. is situated in Mudi, Muna, Takam, Marang VDCs of
Myagdi district in central Nepal. Upper Myahdi-IHPP with capacity of 53.5MW is
expected to be commissioned by FY 2019/20 and will generate 307.18 GWh of energy
annually.
Objective of this report is to develop the most optimum power evacuation scheme for
the Project up to INPS (Integrated Nepal Power System) on techno-economic basis. In
order to do this, it is necessary to review the existing INPS, its future generation &
transmission plans as well as its future load forecast. The study and analysis has been
performed as per standard practices. All available power evacuation options have been
explored in the study and the most optimum scheme(s) identified among the
possibilities on technical and economic basis.
10.2 The Generation System

For the past few years, Nepal has had a deficit of electric energy as well as capacity
during the dry season and capacity deficit in wet season as well and this is expected to
continue for the next five years.
Annual peak power demand of the Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS) in fiscal year
2013/14 is estimated to be 1,201MW, with 410MW power estimated to have been shed.
Out of the 791MW of power actually supplied, 436.4MW was contributed by NEA hydro,
22MW by NEA thermal, 216.4MW by IPP hydro and the rest 116.2MW was import.
Compared to the preceding fiscal year’s figure of 1,094.6 MW, the annual peak power
demand of the INPS registered a growth rate of 9.7 %.
The main power plants in the present system as of FY 2013/14 are:
Name of Project Type Operation Capacity
Kulekhani I Hydro Storage 60 MW

Kulekhani II Hydro Storage 32 MW
Marshyangdi Hydro Run-of river 69 MW
Trishuli Hydro Run-of-river 24 MW
Gandak Hydro Run-of-river 15 MW
Devighat Hydro Run-of-river 14 MW
Jhimruk Hydro Run-of-river 12 MW
Sunkoshi Hydro Run-of-river 10 MW
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Khimti-I Hydro Run-of-river 60 MW

Modi Khola Hydro Run-of-river 14 MW
Kaligandaki-A Hydro Run-of-river 144 MW
Chilime Hydro Run-of-river 20 MW
Puwa Khola Hydro Run-of-river 6 MW
Indrawoti Hydro Run-of-river 5 MW
Middle Marsyangdi Hydro Run-of-river 70 MW
Duhabi Multi Fuel Thermal 39 MW
Hetauda Diesel Thermal 14 MW
INPS has an installed capacity of about 787.08 MW of which 733.67 MW (93.3%) is

hydro and 53.41 MW (6.7 %) is Diesel. The hydro power plants are mainly run-of-river
(ROR) schemes with limited or no storage provision. The two cascaded Kulekhani power
plants are the only storage plants, with a total peaking capacity of 92 MW.
10.3 The Transmission System

Backbone of transmission system in Nepal is the east-west 132 kV tie-line running from
Anarmani substation in the east to Lalpur (Mahendranagar) substation in the west.
Except for the sections Bardghat S/S - Bharatpur S/S - Hetauda S/S and Duhabi S/S -
Anarmani S/S, the entire east-west tie is constructed with double circuit (d/c) towers.
The Duhabi-Hetauda section is strung d/c ACSR Bear, while Butwal-Mahendranagar
section is strung ACSR Bear conductor on one circuit only. The 132 kV sections
Bardghat S/S - Bharatpur S/S - Hetauda S/S are single circuit (s/c) line with ACSR
Panther conductor.
From Bharatpur substation a s/c 132 kV line is running to Pokhara via Damauli. One
each s/c ACSR Duck 132 kV lines are connecting Marshyangdi P/S to Bharatpur and
Suichatar substations. One each s/c ACSR Cardinal 132 kV lines are connecting Middle-
Marshyangdi P/S to Marsyangdi P/S. 132 kV d/c ACSR Duck line is connecting
Kaligandaki P/S to Butwal substation where as Kaligandaki is also connected to Pokhara
substation by 132 kV s/c ACSR Duck line. Modi P/S is also connected to Pokhara
substation by 132 kV s/c ACSR Bear line. Kulekhani-II is connected to Kathmandu and
Hetauda by 132 kV d/c ACSR Bear lines (only one circuit strung each). Kulekhani-I is
connected to Kathmandu and Hetauda by 132 kV d/c ACSR Wolf lines. Hetauda
connects Birgunj by 66 kV d/c ACSR Wolf line. 132 kV s/c ACSR Bear lines connect
Khimti-I and Ankhu to Lamosanghu which is further connected to Kathmandu by 132 kV
d/c ACSR Bear line.
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Chilime is connected to Trishuli by 66 kV s/c ACSR Wolf line. Trishuli is connected to

Kathmandu by 66 kV d/c ACSR Wolf line whereas Devighat is connected to Kathmandu
by 66 kV d/c ACSR Dog line.
The Kathmandu valley absorbs a considerable fraction of the INPS load and the supply
to Kathmandu area is mainly through,
a) Siuchatar 132/66 kV substation which is fed from one 132 kV single

circuit ACSR Duck line from Marshyangdi P/S, one 132 kV single circuit
ACSR Bear line from Hetauda via Kulekhani II P/S and one 66 kV d/c
ACSR Wolf line from Kulekhani-I.
b) Balaju 132/66 kV substation which is fed from a single circuit 132 kV
ACSR Duck line from Siuchatar S/S and one double circuit 66 kV ACSR
Wolf line from Trishuli P/S.
c) Chabahil 66/11 kV substation fed from a double circuit 66 kV ACSR
Dog line from Devighat P/S.
d) Bhaktapur 132/66 kV substation fed from one 132 kV double circuit
ACSR Bear line via Lamosanghu substation from Khimti, Ankhu and
one 66 kV s/c ACSR 120 sq.mm line from Sunkoshi P/S.
Transmission system of INPS is even at present; congested in various sections of which

the most serious ones are Bardghat-Bharatpur-Hetauda 132 kV single circuit,
Marsyangdi-Kathmandu 132 kV single circuit and Hetauda-Birgunj 66 kV double circuit
links. Many other links are also expected to be congested as more generation plants get
integrated into the system.
10.4 Generation System Plan

At present, 11 main hydropower plants are under construction and expected to be
completed soon:
Table 10.1: Under Construction Projects:
S.N Project Name Type Capacity MW
1 Chameliya Hydro 30
2 Kulekhani-III Hydro 14
3 Upper Tamakoshi Hydro 456
4 Upper Trishuli-3A Hydro 60
5 Rahughat Hydro 32
6 Upper Trishuli-3B Hydro 42
7 Tanahu Hydropower Project Hydro 140
8 Sanjen Hydro 42
9 Upper Sanjen Hydro 14.6
10 Rasuwagadi Hydro 111
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11 Madhya Bhotekoshi Hydro 102
Many more hydropower plants are planned for construction in near future. The
generation plants coming in future are as follows,
Table 10.2: Hydropower Projects on the Pipelines:

Projects Capacity (MW) Projects Capacity (MW)
Year 2014/15 Year 2016/17
Devighat Cascaded 9.6 Kabeli-A 30
Hewa-A 12 Upper Dordi-A 22
Khani Khola 30 Upper Mailung 14.3
Khani khola-1 25 Super Madi 44
Lower Modi 20 Trishuli-III 20
Mai Sanima 15.6 Upper Tadi 11
Middle Modi 14.6
Upper Chaku A 22 Year 2017/18
Upper Madi 19.008 Ghar Khola 8.3
Tadi 5 Mristi 42
Upper Modi-A 42
Year 2015/16 Upper Seti (ST) 127
Lower Sunkoshi-III 9.9 Upper Marsyangdi 50
Madi-1 10 Chhahare Khola 17.5
Upper Mailung -A 5 Nyadi 30
Upper Trishuli-3B 40 Radhi 4.4
Dordi 27 Upper Ingwa 9.7
Upper Khimti 12
Upper Mai 9.247
Likhu-IV 120
Balephi 50
10.5 Substation
Transmission system reinforcements that have been taking place are mainly driven by
load growth and partly by generation additions.
Following are list of substations that are planned to be constructed within FY 2016/17.
Table 10.3: Planned substations
S.No. Substations Remarks
1 Khimti 220/132 kV HPP connecting to Khimti and Tamakoshi area
2 Phidim 132 kV Kabeli Corridor
3 Kabeli 132 kV Kabeli Corridor
4 Godak (Ilam) 132 kV Kabeli Corridor
5 Tadikuna (Khudi Hub) 132 kV Marsyangdi Corridor
6 Udipur Hub (New Middle Marsyangdi) 132 kV Marsyangdi Corridor
7 Anbukhaireni (New Marsyangdi) 220/132 kV System Reinforcement
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8 New Modi 132 kV System Reinforcement

9 Dana 132 kV Modi & Kaligandaki Corridor
10 Kusma 220/132 kV Modi & Kaligandaki Corridor
11 Bhurjung (Banskot) 132 kV HPP connection of Bhurjung area
12 Gorjang 132 kV HPP connection of Gorjang area
13 Singati 132 kV HPP connection of Singati area
14 Trishuli 3B Hub 220/132 kV HPP connection of Trishuli area
15 Samundratar 132 kV HPP connection of Samundratar area
16 Matatirtha (Thankot) 220/132 kV System Reinforcement
17 Naubise 220/132 kV System Reinforcement
18 New Butwal 220/132 kV System Reinforcement
19 New Bharatpur 220/132 kV System Reinforcement
20 Damauli 220/132 kV System Reinforcement
21 Harisiddhi 132 kV System Reinforcement
22 Chapali 132 kV System Reinforcement
23 Syangja 132 kV To Supply local load
24 Kamane 132 kV To Supply Industrial area
25 New Hetauda 220/132 kV System Reinforcement
10.6 Transmission System Plan

The transmission lines that are under construction are as follows:
Khimti - Dhalkebar (220 kV) DC Bison

Hetauda – Bharatpur (220 kV) DC Bison
Bharatpur- Bardaghat (220 kV) DC Bison
In order to meet the increasing load demand and for power evacuation from plants as
per the Generation Expansion Plan, NEA has developed transmission expansion plan.
The transmission lines as per Government 38 point that are planned to be constructed
within FY 2016/17.
Table 10.4: Planned and proposed220 KVTransmission line projects

S.No. Transmission System
1 Koshi Corrider 220 KV, D/C
2 Kaligandaki Corrider 220 KV, D/C
3 Lekhnath-Damauli-Bharatpur 220 kV D/C Transmission line
4 New-Marsyangdi – Matatritha (Thankot) 220 kV D/C Transmission line
5 Chilime –Trishuli 220 KV, D/C
6 Marsyangdi Bharatpur 220 KV, D/C
7 Tamakoshi-Kathamndu 220/400 kV D/C
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10.7 Load Forecast (2016/17 – 2024/25)

NEA's total load forecast has been segregated into substation-wise load forecast for the
purpose of transmission planning. This is still based on methodology adopted in NEA's
Transmission System Master Plan (TSMP) of 1998. Some adjustments have been
incorporated considering the prevailing trend in load growth in and around various
substation areas. In the FY 2016/17, internal Nepal substation load is expected to reach
1653.7 MW. NEA's latest load forecast is shown in the table below:
Table 10.5: NEA’s Load Forecast

Fiscal Year System Peak Load (MW)
2016-17 1653.7
2017-18 1837.1
2018-19 2018.8
2019-20 2208.7
2020-21 2361.0
2021-22 2523.0
2022-23 2695.4
2023-24 2888.1
2024-25 3109.0
10.8 Transmission Route

The transmission route from Upper Myagdi IHydropower Project (53.5 MW) to 132 kV
proposed Dana station in difficult mountainous terrain. The whole route will not
accessible by road and this shall form the basis for transmission cost estimates.
10.8.1 Cost Estimate

10.8.1.1 Transmission Lines
Cost estimate for 132 kV and 220 kV is based on NEA’s Transmission System Master
Plan 1998 (TSMP-1998). The estimated cost for lines with conductor sizes and voltages
of our concern are as shown in the table below.
Table 10.6: Transmission Line Costs [kUS$/km, excl. of taxes and duties]
Conductors per phase 132 kV 220 kV
s/c d/c s/c d/c
1 x Wolf 59.3 94.8 - -
1 x Bear 77.0 123.2 - -
1 x Bison - - 102.2 163.5
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2 x Bison - - 148.1 236.5

1 x Moose - - 118.8 190.0
2 x Moose - - 172.2 275.0
10.8.1.2 Substation Components
132kV and 220kV cost estimate is based on NEA's TSMP-1998. The estimated
substation costs for various voltages of our concern are as shown in the table below.
The following maximum transport weights are assumed to apply for Nepal.
Terai plains : 80 tons

Kathmandu Valley : 30 tons
Other areas : 30 tons
Table 10.7: Transformer Costs(Million US$ excl. taxes and duties)

Size [MVA] 3 x 1 ph
220/11 w/OLTC 40 1.85
132/11 w/OLTC 40 1.65
OLTC: On load tap changer
Table 10.8: Bay Costs (Thousand US$)

132 kV 220 kV
Line Bay 550 910
Transformer Bay 410 750
Table 10.9: Control Building Costs

Cost Size (m2)
Buildings (US$/m2) 220 kV 132 kV
Control Building 600 500 200
Store/Workshop 400 200 --
Total Cost (kUS$) 380 120
10.9 Power Evacuation

10.9.1 Conductor Optimization
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Conductor optimization of UMIHP

800
700
Capatilized Cost (KUSD/km)
600
500
132kV S/C Wolf
400
132kV DC wolf
300
132 kV SC Bear
200 132 kV DC Bear
100
0
0 20 40 60 80
Installed Capacity (MW)
Figure 10.1: Conductor Optimization
As seen from the figure 10.1, "132 kV SC Bear" line exhibits the least capitalized cost
for evacuation of 54 MW power at 0.70 capacity factor. Moreover, this option will be
economical for power evacuation of higher plant capacity as well.
The calculation is primarily performed on per km transmission line basis, and is as such
not dependent on the length of the transmission line. The formulas used for the
calculation are given in Figure 10.2 below where,
Ppeak = Maximum transmitted power

Urated = Rated AC line voltage
R = AC line resistance
Tloss = Loss duration
kE= Energy cost
Co&m = Annual operation and maintenance cost (% of initial investment)
D = Discount factor
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Figure 10.2: Relations used for Conductor Optimization
a. AC Resistance Values
The AC resistance in a line is dependent on the temperature and thus on the loading.
With high power transfer, the conductor temperature will be high. To be on the safe
side, the ambient temperature is considered as 40°C. For economic optimization, it is
preferred to use conservative resistance values, i.e. resistance at maximum or close to
maximum operating temperature. In this optimization, an operating temperature of
75°C has been selected. For the conductors used in this study, the following value of AC
resistance has been used;
• ACSR Wolf - 0.2187 Ω/km for single cktand 0.1094 Ω/km for doubleckt
• ACSR Bear - 0.131 Ω/km for single cktand 0.0655 Ω/km for doubleckt
b. Plant Loss Duration

The equivalent plant loss duration is a function of plant factor. Plant factor of 0.68 is
considered for the calculation.
c. Energy Cost
The energy cost normally used for the optimisation of the transmission lines is the long
run marginal cost of generation. The average incremental cost of generation better
reflects the real value and is therefore used. The average incremental cost of
generation as per TSMP-1998 is 6.02 USc/kWh.
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d. Operation & Maintenance (Co&m)

The operation and maintenance cost of transmission lines ranges from 0.5% to 1.5%,
and Nepal is considered to be in the upper range due to the recurring monsoon and
frequent landslides. An annual operation and maintenance cost of 1.5% is therefore
used in the optimisation.
e. Discount Factor (D)

The discount factor represents the discounted value of fixed annual payments of one
unit each year of the lifetime. Here, with 30 years of project lifetime and 10% discount
rate, the discount factor is 9.43.
10.9.2 Evacuation
Power generated from UMIHP is proposed to be evacuated at the proposed Dana
substation which is approximately 28km away from the powerhouse area
10.9.3 Transmission Line Route alternatives

NEA carries out the transmission system planning based on the load forecast and the
generation planning. The transmission planning takes into consideration all the
generating stations under the private sector with whom power purchase agreements
have been concluded. The transmission system planning is carried out based on
reliability and quality as outline in NEA Grid Code. To have a reliable system, the
transmission and distribution systems must have the capacity to carry that power
around the clock to the consumers and they must be capable of doing so under a
variety of expected conditions, such as line maintenance and variations in customer
demand. The system must also be capable of withstanding unusual circumstances, such
as a line loss or a severe weather event. Thus to ensure the reliability under outage
condition, the transmission line is planned based on N-1 condition. This permits the
transfer of power without interruption even under the loss of one transmission line.
Load flow studies need to be conducted to maintain the permissible voltage variations.
However, the voltage for transmission should be the standard one commonly used
depending upon the amount of power to be transmitted, the length over which the
power is to be transmitted and the existing transmission facilities available at the
nearest point from the Project location. For this Project, the following options have
been studied.
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Figure 10.2: Transmission Line Route Option
Table 10.10: Transmission Line Route alignment Option

Route Details of the Routes Approximate
Options Length (km)
Route I Marang (Upper Myagdi I HP - Switchyard) – Malkwang– 25.80
Chimkhola – Dana
Route II Marang (Upper Myagdi I HP - Switchyard) – Malkwang– 26.40
Chimkhola – Dana
Route III Marang (Upper Myagdi I HP - Switchyard) – Bima– 30.00
Pakhapani-Doba – Dana
Table 10.10: Route Comparision

S. Description Upper Myagdi I HP – Proposed Dana Substation Remarks
No. Route Alignments
Route I Route II Route III
1 Total Length (km) 25.80 26.40 30
2 No. of angle 5 8 112
points
3 Access facility There is no access There is no There is slight
facility in most access facility in access facility in
section most action
4 Crossing of No line crossing No line crossing No line crossing
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existing HT/LT
lines
5 No. of stream 5 6 8
crossing
6 No. of settlement 2 2 5
crossing
7 No. of road No road crossing No road crossing No road crossing
crossing
8 Forest area (km) 16 km 12 km 8km
(62%) (45%) (26%)
9 Marshy and Not seen Not seen Not seen Cannot be
unstable area identified in
map
10 Any other impact None None None Will be
identified in
detail study
11 Any other None None None
permanent
structure
12 Advantages Shortest Length Less Forest, Less Less forest
less forest settlement and affected, slight
cliff access facility
13 Disadvantages Cliff area and high Slightly longer Longer length,
forest than option I, more settlement
area, More stream
14 Order of Priority 2 1 3
Based on the exercise carried out in this study and the comparison made within the
identified alternative routes, it is fair to recommend Route II as final route. Since there
is more less forest and cliff along the proposed line route and not much difference in
line length as compared to shortest line Route I.
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Chapter 11 - Construction Planning and Scheduling
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11.1 General
Feasibility study shows that implementation of this project is technically and financially
viable and worth for implementation. Financial study has been carried out to check the
feasibility of this project. Accordingly the implementation schedule of Project has been
prepared for the construction of the project.
Critical sequences of major project activities following the take-over of the project
implementation are as follows:
 Detail engineering and tender documents preparation

 Infrastructure development (Access roads and construction camps)
 Excavation of construction adits
 Tendering of main civil works, electromechanical and hydro-mechanical works
 Mobilization of construction equipment and construction materials
 Excavation of headworks, headrace tunnel and powerhouse site
 Concreting in headworks and powerhouse, support/lining of headrace tunnel
 Construction of headwork, headrace tunnel and powerhouse structures
 Construction of surge tank, penstock shaft and installation of penstock pipe
 Installation of hydro-mechanical/electro-mechanical equipments
 Dry and wet test
 Commissioning
Project construction schedule and cost estimate of the project are prepared on the basis
of the present study. It will be refined during the detailed engineering of the project.
11.2 Preparatory Works

11.2.1 Access Road
For headworks and powerhouse sites of the project areaaccess road needs to be
constructed. Total of about 12.0 km of access road needs to be constructed to reach
Powerhouse, surge tank, headworks and constructionadits.
11.2.2 Construction Power

11 kV transmission line is the cheapest mode of power required for the construction of
project. The other source of construction power could be Diesel Generator installed at
different work fronts of the project. Tentative breakdown of power requirement at
different work fronts is presented herewith. 11kV transmission line is expected to feed
the power for the project construction purpose. At present, 11kV line has extended up
to Darbang VDC which is 12km away from the Project area. From there onwards line
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has to be extended so as to supply construction power up to the headworks site of the

project.
Construction power required will be approximately 1.5 MW at peak load. The number
and capacity of transformer are estimated, as mentioned in the Table below.
Table 11.1: Power Requirement for Construction Purpose

Description Number Unit Remarks
400kVA transformer 2 No Headworks site
250kVA transformer 2 No Power house site

250kVA transformer 1 No Employers camp and contractor camp at
headworks camp & labor camps
Contractor
250kVA transformer 1 No
at PH site.
11.2.3 Construction Camps

Project will require big work force during construction. There will be separate temporary
and permanent camp facilities at different working sites. In general, there will be three
major camp sites, namely the headworks, mid adit and the powerhouse
site.Construction camps at three different construction sites will be needed during the
implementation of the project. Three separate labour camps will be as follows.
For the headworks, the area near the suspension bridge in the left bank of Myagdi River
is selected for construction of a contractor’s camp.For employer’s permanent camps and
office, the area close to the confluence of Mudiand Myagdi River at the leftt bankseems
appropriate. For the construction of headrace tunnel from construction adit, temporary
construction camp will be needed and it will be arranged around Basbot village.For the
powerhouse and surge tank, area around powerhouse site in the left bank of Myagdi
River can be used for a labour camp.
11.2.4 Water Supply system

Water supply system is planned to off take water for the camps at three locations. For
all three locations intake structures with filtration plant will be installed. In the
headwork area, nearby available source will be used for the contractor camp and labour
camp. For the employers permanent camp and office existing water supply line will be
used for the purpose.
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11.3 Construction Scheduling of Individual Structures

11.3.1 Diversion during construction and construction of weir and
intake structures
Construction works at the headworks start with construction of coffer dams and
diversion tunnel. Cofferdam height will be as such that the dry season flood will not
overtop it. It will be trapezoidal in section made of the excavated material. It will
comprise of clay material as center core to control the seepage, filling with excavated
material and boulder riprap at the outer sloping surface exposed to the river flow for
protection against scouring.
Once river diversion work is complete the construction work will commence from the
excavation at the left bank at the intake, flood guide wall areas. After the excavation
the foundation work for upstream flood guide wall, undersluice, right part of diversion
weir and intake will commence. The part of construction of all these structures will be
completed within a single first dry season so that monsoon flow will not affect the
construction at the upper parts of undersluice, intake, etc. Remaining other structures
will be started after the monsoon is over.
11.3.2 Desanding Basin and Tunnel Inlet portal

For the construction of desanding basin, two construction faces is available at the
beginning and from the flushing channel from downstream. The main construction face
is from the two separate approach tunnel and this face will take most part of the
construction work for the desanding basin. Second working face is from the flushing
channel or adit 1 from the downstream face.
11.3.3 Headrace tunnel

For the construction of headrace tunnel, one construction adit(adit 2) will be provided
at the middle part of headrace tunnel. In total four working faces will be available for
the construction of headrace tunnel.
The tunnel excavation method will be conventional drilling and blasting or any other
modified method. The tunnel excavation work will be carried out at an average of 60m
per month per face. To meet the construction schedule it is necessary to execute the
excavation work from all work faces at the same time.
Circular tunnel will be partly concrete lined and the finished size will be 4m diameter
section. Shotcrete lining will be carried out simultaneously with the tunnel excavation
and primary support erection. In shear zone or fault zones, steel rib support will be
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provided immediately after full face drill and blast or heading and benching. Total
construction time for the completion of headrace tunnel has been estimated as 30
months.
11.3.4 Surge tank

A pilot shaft will be made at the center of surge tank with series of drill holes from top
level of surge tank down it its full depth of 55m. Around 2m diameter pilot shaft will be
made with charging drill holes from bottom and blasting the segment of 2-3 m at a
time. Once the pilot shaft is made, second stage of excavation will be executed by
enlarging to the full size of 6m diameter of the surge tank from top. Enlargement will
be done by conventional drilling and blasting with lowering 2m in each cycle of blast
and followed by shotcrete and rock bolting. Muck will be disposed from the pilot shaft
down to the surge tank bottom and will be removed through outlet portal.
Total time required for the excavation of surge tank including excavation, rock bolting
and shotcrete lining is estimated about 12 months. Concrete lining will be executed
after completion of excavation works.
11.3.5 Penstock excavation and Pipe installation

Uppershort stretch horizontal penstock is connected to lower transition of surge
shaft.The exposed penstock portion will be excavated from top to the bottom as open
surface excavation as per the design shape and size. The excavation and installation of
steel penstock is scheduled in 10 months time. Installation of the penstock pipe and
second stage concreting will be completed in the next 8 months time. The total time
required for the civil and hydro-mechanical works will be about 18 months.
11.3.6 Powerhouse, tailrace and switchyard

The work at powerhouse, tailrace canal and switch yards will be relatively simple and is
not the critical activity if the detail design of the electro-mechanical work is available in
time.Hence, after the financial closure of the project, the EPC contract for the electro-
mechanical works should be awarded so that the needed design for power sizing and
foundation work is available in time.
Powerhouse works will commence with protection works at the upstream end that will
ensure safety from river flood and seepage to the powerhouse area. Excavation work
will be followed by foundation concrete, installation of sump pits and other hydro-
mechanical items, superstructures, installation of electro-mechanical item and final
finish work. In parallel the work at tailrace canal and switch yard will be carried out.
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11.3.7 Electro-mechanical Works

EPC contract for the design, fabrication, supply, installation and testing will be awarded
immediately after the financial closure of the project. It is estimated that the fabrication
and transportation to the site will be completed within 24 months from the date of
contractual agreement.
Machinery installation and testing work will require further 15 months. Hence, the
Commissioning of the plant may be achieved after 39 months from the date of award of
the electro-mechanical contract. Therefore, acceleration on the civil construction works
will be necessary.
11.3.8 Transmission line Works

At present, total 36 months have been scheduled for the survey license, design,
fabrication and installation single circuit 132 KV transmission line from Powerhouse to
substation. Transmission line could also be a double circuit connecting all the
hydropower projects proposed on Myagdi River basin and eventually evacuated at the
same location.A joint process with the other project is necessary to accomplish this
work done. Nevertheless, it is estimated that the transmission line will be ready by the
end of completion of the whole project.
11.4 Material Handling

11.4.1 Construction Material and their handling
Major local and other construction materials required for the project consists of the
following:
 Cement
 Coarse aggregates
 Fine aggregates
 Reinforcement bars
 Explosives
 Diesel
11.4.2 Local Construction Material

11.4.2.1 Sand
Total quantity of sand required for civil construction works will be about 1,40,000m3.
Total quantity of sand available within 20km range from the construction site is
sufficient for this project. Other borrow areas along the MyagdiRiver in the downstream
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are the potential sources of sand and aggregates from where the deficit quantity of
sand can be extracted.
11.4.2.2 Gravel
Total quantity of aggregates required for civil construction works is estimated about 1,
90000m3. Total quantity of aggregate available from the potential borrow areas within 6
km range from the construction site is sufficient for this project. Other borrow areas
along the MyagdiRiver in the downstream are the potential sources of aggregates from
where deficit quantity can be fulfilled.
Rest of aggregates required shall be obtained from the quarry site and by processing of
the excavated materials.
11.4.2.3 Rubble Stone
Rubble stones required for cofferdam, diversion weir intake structure and gabion works
will be collected from the river banks of MyagdiRiver within the project area.
11.5 Other Construction material

11.5.1.1 Cement
Required quantity of cement can be purchased within Nepal or may be required to

import from India and other countries. The total distance for haulage from Nepal/India
border to project site will be around 350 km.
11.5.1.2 Steel and Structural steel
Reinforcement steels available in the local market from the steel factories of Nepal will
be managed to the extent possible. Only the deficit quantity of reinforcement steel and
structural steel should be imported from India and other countries.
11.5.1.3 Explosives
For the underground excavation work, emulsion type explosives should be used for the
better performance. Such explosives will be managed from the Nepal Army and
alternatively imported from Indian market. To achieve better result of tunnelling works
the explosives play vital role. For the surface excavation in rock and boulder blasting,
explosive products of Nepal Army will be utilized. All types of detonators need to be
imported from Indian market.
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11.6 Contract Packages

Construction of the project is broadly separated into five different lots and work
packages in each lot are as follows.
Lot No 1 – Infrastructure Works

Package 1.1: Access Road
Package 1.2: Construction power
Package 1.3: Construction Camp
Lot No 2 – Civil Works

Package 2.1: Surface works: Headworks structures, Anchor block, Powerhouse, tailrace
etc
Package 2.2: Underground works: Settling basin, Headrace tunnel, surge shaft,
construction adits, penstock tunnel, main access tunnel etc.
Lot No 3 – Hydro-mechanical works

Package 3.1: Design, manufacture, supply and installation of gates, trash racks,
stoplogs, valves, hoists and cranes.
Package 3.2: Fabrication and erection of penstock pipe
Lot No 4 – Electromechanical works

Design, manufacture, supply and installation of electrical and mechanical equipment
(turbine, generators with accessories, transformers and electrical auxiliaries)
Lot No 5 – Transmission line

Design, supply and installation of transmission towers and stringing as well as
construction of sub-station facilities.
11.7 Overall duration of the Project construction

All preparatory works including tender documents preparation, land acquisition,
construction of camp and infrastructure development will be carried out in the detail
engineering phase. Main construction work of the project is scheduled in 4 years
duration from the award to commissioning. Proposed construction schedule for Project
is presented in Table 11.2.
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Table 11.2: Proposed Construction schedule for Project
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Chapter 12–Environmental Impact Assesement

Study
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12.1 Objectives and Term of Reference

Primary objective of the Terms of Reference is to guide the EIA study to only relevant
areas of environmental resources whose environmental and implications of the project
activity on the resources are not well understood for taking decision by the stakeholders
and decision makers. It further defines the scope of the study, and area study area,
human resources and financial resources and financial resources required and
timeframe and outcomes of the study.
12.2 Objective of Scoping

As stipulated in the Manual for Preparing Scoping Document for Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) of Hydropower Projects (DoED, 2001), the main objectives of the
scoping of are:
 To delineate the study area of the EIA
 To properly brief the EIA team and acquaint it with the alternatives of project
route alignment and the associated impacts to be considered at different levels
of analysis
 To understand the existing environmental conditions of the project area and
collect baseline information
 To document the priority issues and ensure that the EIA is focused on relevant
environmental issues and concerns
 To identify all the potential impacts likely to occur as a result of project
implementation
 To familiarize the local communities and concerned agencies with the project and
also to solicit their opinions and suggestions and analyse the same
 To identify the major issues concerning the likely environmental impacts and to
reflect the likely issues and concerns of local people in the EIA report
 To provide an opportunity for the involvement of local communities, affected
families, local organizations, line agencies and other government/and non-
government institutions while determining the factors/ parameters to be
assessed during the EIA
 To establish the Terms of Reference (T0R) for EIA
Guiding principles for carrying out the scoping process include the followings:
 Recognizing scoping is a process rather than a discrete activity or event
 Design the scoping process for each proposal, taking into account the affected
UMIHEP 179
environment and people

 Start scoping as soon as sufficient information is available
 Prepare an information package or circular, explaining the proposal and the
process
 Specify the role and contribution of the stakeholders and the public
 Take a systematic approach but implement with flexibility
 Document the results to guide preparation of an EIA
 Respond to new information and issues raised by stakeholders
12.3 Project Area Delineation

The study area of the project will be considered as three zones, which are as follows:
Upstream Zone;
Downstream Zone; and
Project facility areas or construction site
These will be further classified into three categories as follows:
12.3.1 High Impact Area

This category includes all the areas where activities directly related to the project will
take place. In this area, the physical, biological and socio-economic and cultural
environment may be severely affected and require in depth study. It refers to an
alternation of the existing environmental conditions as a direct consequence of the
project activities. The areas within the periphery of 100 m from the construction site are
considered as high impact area. This area experiences the site specific impacts related
to felling of trees, clearing of vegetation, acquisition of land, soil erosion and landslide,
etc. These impacts could not be avoided but its effects could be minimized or
compensated.
12.3.2 Moderate Impact Area

This category includes the areas which will have direct and indirect impact by
construction activities but influenced by the activities of construction workers. The area
consists of forest areas, human settlement and barren land within project affected VDCs
laying 100 m to 500 m periphery outside from the construction site. The proximate
areas to dewatered zone of the project are categorized under moderate impact area.
12.3.3 Low Impact Area

This category includes the areas which will have indirect impact by construction
activities but influenced by the activities of construction workers. The area consists of
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forest areas and settlements within project affected VDCs laying outside the 500 m
periphery of the construction site
The direct environmental impacts are those impacts caused by project construction or
operation. During construction, these impacts primarily occur in places where key
structures of the project such as dam, desander, headrace tunnel, adit tunnel,
powerhouse, internal access road, quarry site, burrow pit, spoil disposal site, etc are
located. These structures/facilities result into permanent direct impacts in the
placement sites and areas adjacent to them (maximum of 100 m from the site).
Besides, direct impacts of temporary nature occur in sites where activities of
construction operation such as camps for contractors, labours, and support facilities for
storage of construction materials, batching plants, aggregate crushing and washing
plants, mechanical yards for repair and maintenance, etc are located throughout project
construction period. During the operation period changes in river hydrology are the key
impacts influencing a considerable stretch of river. Above direct impacts modifies the
natural and social environment of the areas significantly depending upon the nature of
activities during construction and operation.
Indirect or induced environmental impacts are those impacts which are not directly
caused by project construction or operation. These impacts result from activities
associated with or induced by the project. Indirect impacts can include the degradation
of forests and ecology near the project sites by the project work force, or impacts on
cultural traditions (both positive and negative) and social development in general. The
indirectly impact area of the proposal is defined as the administrative boundary of the
VDCs in which the structures and components of project are located.
12.4 Existing Environmental Condition

12.4.1 Physical Environment
12.4.1.1 Slope Stability and Soil Erosion
There are no active faults and landslide in the project area the rocks quartzite-phyllite
are exposed on both, along upstream as well as downstream of the proposed intake
and weir axis area. Also, proposed surge shaft, pressure shaft, powerhouse and tailrace
area lies in good rock. The slope stability condition of the project area in general seems
to be stable.
12.4.1.2 Air and water quality
Project is located in a rural setting without industrial establishment, trade and

commerce. Existing air quality of the project area is found to be satisfactory. There are
no potential sources of air and noise pollution near the project area and there is not any
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anthropogenic activities contributing to air pollution. Indoor air pollution due to the use
of firewood for cooking is the only source of air pollution in the project area at present.
Natural springs are the main source of drinking water for people and their livestock in
the project area. Water quality of the river seems to be satisfactory. The water of
Myagdi River seems to be free from anthropogenic source of pollution. The water is
clean.
12.4.1.3 Noise quality
Project area is free from any noise pollution at present. Vibration produced during the
construction period could produce noise. Nature is pristine and no urbanization is in
process in the project area. So, the question of noise and vibration is still irrelevant.
12.4.2 Biological Environment

Project area lies in the sub tropical climatic region. Biological setting of the proposed
project area has good forest coverage especially at the construction adit area. Main
features of the biological settings of the project area are presented below:
12.4.2.1 Forest and Flora
Natural vegetation plays an influential role in the socio-economic condition and life style
of local people. Diverse ethnic groups inhabit the project area. They utilize the local
plant resources for different purposes including timber, firewood, medicine and food.
Main timber yielding plant of the project area is Chilaune (Schimawallichii). Similarly,
the common fodders reported from the project area are Dudhilo (Ficusnerifolia), Painyu
(Prunuscerasoides) and Nemaro (Ficusauriculata).
Ethno botanical study of the project area showed that local people are dependent on
forest and forest based non timber forest products (NTFP) tofulfil their daily needs.
Furthermore, forest products are also the income sources of the local people. Collection
of firewood, wild fruits and vegetables for own consumption is the common practice in
the area. Valuable species like Pinuswallichiana, Betulautilis, Acoroscalamus,
Zanthoxylumarmatum, Dioscoreadeltoidea, Bergeniaciliata, Valerianawallichii,
Swertiachirayita, Daphnebholua, Dactylorhizahatagirea, and few orchids are found in
the forests.
12.4.2.2 Fauna
Project area is situated in the national forest, community forest, cultivated land, and
barren area. According to locals, the potential area for wildlife habitat is located in
headwork site and some part of the tunnel alignment. The forest around the project
UMIHEP 182
area is composed of heavily degraded mixedforest. The forest habitats were

discontinuous and frequently intervened by the presence of agricultural field and
settlements. Few mammals, birds and reptiles were reported in the surrounding forest
of the project area. Among the reptiles, few species of snakes and lizards were
recorded in the project area. Similarly, among the amphibians, frogs are common. The
forests particularly at the Dam site does not represent as a potential wildlife habitat.
12.4.2.3 Mammals
Local people reported about 15 species of mammals from the project periphery during
the field survey and discussions with the locals. The mammals species recorded from
the project periphery are:Bagh (Pantheratigris), Ban Biralo (Felix chaus), Bhalu (Felix
chaus), Chari Bagh (Prionailurusbengalensis), Chituwa (Pantherapardus), Dumsi
(Pantherapardus), Ghoral (Nemorhacdusghoral), Malsanpro (Martin flavigula), Musa
(Rattusrattus), Nyauri (Herpestisedwardsi), ownt (Lutralutra),Rato-Bandar
(Macacamulata), Ratuwamirga (Macacamulata), Seto Bandar-langur (Presbytis
entellus), and Syal (Canisaureus).
12.4.2.4 Birds
Birds’ species seen during the survey as well as knowledge of sighting in the project
area as answered in interview with locals are: Bakulla(Bubulcus ibis), Ban Kukhura
(Gallus gallus), Bhangera (Passer domesticus), Bhyakura (Turdoides spp.),Chil (Aquila
heliacal), Dhukur(Streptopeliachinensis),Gaunthali(Apusaffinis), Giddha (Gyps
bengalensis), Jureli(Pycnonotuscafer), Kaag(Pycnonotuscafer), Kalchauda
(Myophonuscaeruleus),Kalij(Lophuraleucomelanos), Koili (Cuculuscanorus),
Lahache(Picoidesspp.),Lampuchre (Urocissaerythrorhyncha), and Suga
(Psittaculacyanocephala).
12.4.2.5 Reptiles
According to the local information the reptiles and amphibians found in the project area
are garden lizard (Calotes versicolor), frog (Rana cyanophlyctus), toad (Bufo
melanostictus) etc.
12.4.2.6 Fisheries
Diversity of fish species is low. The dominant fish species of Myagdi River is Katle
(Acrosssocheilus hexagonolepis), Asala (Schizothorax spp) and Buduna (Garrasp).
UMIHEP 183
12.4.2.7 Rare, endangered and protected species of flora and fauna
Among recorded plant species, none of them are identified as rare, endangered and
threatened species in the core project area.
12.4.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment

12.4.3.1 Demography
Population and households

According to the National Population Census2011, the total population of Myagdi district
is 1, 13,641with male population of51,395(45.23%) and female population of 62,246
(54.77%). Similarly, the average family size and the population density are 4 and 49
persons per sq.km respectively. Majority of the population follow Hinduism and
Buddhism. There is a heterogeneous composition of ethnic people such as Magar,
Chhantyal, Brahmin, Chhetri, Dalit, etc.
Occupation
Agriculture is the main occupation of the project area, which is followed by labour,
foreign employment, business, collection of herbs and other forest products in the
project area. Significant numbers of local people go to Kathmandu and other urban
areas of Nepal. Similarly, many youths are going to India, Malaysia and other gulf
countries to seek employment.
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Chapter 13 – Cost Estimates
UMIHEP 185
13.1 General
In this chapter, we deal about the quantities of various materials, their rate analysis,
costing and BoQ. This cost report describes the methodology used for estimating the
project cost of 53.5 MW Project which is located in Myagdi district,
WesternDevelopment Region of Nepal. The cost of project is calculated based on
quantity estimation of various materials from drawings and the report. The unit rate of
the item is based on existing labour and material cost at current price level.
13.2 Criteria, Assumptions and Cost Components

Following criteria and assumptions from the basis of the cost estimate:
All cost is in price level of July 2016 US dollars.
For currency conversion, the exchange rate is maintained at:US$ 1 = NRs.107.00
Identifiable taxes and custom duties imposed by the Government of Nepal (GON) are
excluded.
Royalties and costs associated with right-of-way for quarries, borrow and disposal areas
are not included.
A key assumption made is that the project management and procurement policy will
stress on competitive bidding and that GON policies will not hinder a cost-effective
construction. Contractors will be free to employ labour from Nepal or neighbouring
countries deemed most cost effective.
13.3 Estimating Methodology

The major components for the estimating process are:
 Support facilities, access roads including temporary bridge and other general items
 Main civil construction works, including on-site access
 Electromechanical equipment
 Engineering, management, administration and other owner’s costs
 Resettlement, land acquisition, and environmental provision
 Contingencies
13.4 Civil works

Cost estimate was prepared with an approach that requires the sequential work
execution with the following steps:
a) Subdivision of the total project cost into a number of distinct structures (River
diversion works, weir, intake, desander, headrace tunnel, surge shaft, penstock,
powerhouse, tailrace etc)
UMIHEP 186
b) Breaking down of structures into a number of distinct construction tasks or

measurable pay items, these being overburden excavation, rock excavation and
underground excavation, fill work, concrete work etc.
c) Calculation of the appropriate quantity of each item estimated from designed
drawings as mentioned in feasibility report, Vol II.
d) Identification of the borrow pits, quarries, stockpiling areas, dumping areas, and
construction roads needed.
e) Selection of the labour, material and construction equipment resources required
for all construction work.
f) Estimating the unit costs for the project by using the cost of the combined
resources used and their expected production.
g) Summation of all products of the quantities and the unit costs yields the total
cost of construction.
h) The summation with allowances for contractor’s profit, contingency and
allowances for engineering and management and provision for camp facilities
gives the total project cost.
In the application of this approach, the contractor’s overhead and profits markup is
applied during the unit rate development.
13.5 Resource Costs

13.5.1 Transportation Costs
Transportation cost includes transportation of materials by truck, including loading,
unloading and stacking by manpower lead up to 10m (Using 8 ton capacity truck) of
production cost of the material available in the market to the site from nearest town.
Transportation cost of the major items of construction materials are as follows.
Tor steel reinforcement bar = US$2.7 / ton

Cement = US$2.7/ ton
Gelatine = US$ 0.07 / kg
13.5.2 Labour Rates

For estimating purposes, labour forces will be subdivided into four categories of
workers: unskilled, semiskilled, skilled and highly skilled. These categories will then be
used to develop the unit rates as per crew requirements.
Considering the overall construction requirements for the project, hourly rates of labour
will be developed based on prevailing rates of the project site. Since the project site is
accessible, availability of labour in the local area will be considered. The hourly rate of
labour will be calculated with provision of ten percent as project allowances, mark-up of
UMIHEP 187
ten percent for labour man-power supplier and allowances for forty percent will be
made for labour, who is involved in shift and hazardous work. Calculated rates of
workers on an hour basis will then be developed for the following categories.
Unskilled labour = US$ 0.88 / hour

Semiskilled labour = US$1.05 / hour
Skilled labour = US$1.23 / hour
Highly skilled labour = US$ 1.47 / hour
13.5.3 Construction equipment Rates

It is proposed that major components of civil works will be constructed by using
standard construction methods employing various construction machines and
equipment as far as possible. Equipment operating and owing cost per hour will be
referred from similar number of projects which are under studies by Nepal Electricity
Authority. Representative operating & owing cost of heavy equipment and tools are as
follows;
Tipper Truck HP 160 = US$36.00 / hr

Wheel loader 2.2 cum = US$50/ hr
Concrete mixer 0.5 cum/hr = US$4.08 /hr
Bulldozer HP 165 = US$50 /hr
Air compressor 300CFM = US$11.73 / hr
Flat bed Truck (10 Ton capacity) = US$12.43 / hr
Excavator = US$52.00 / hr
Grader = US$45 /hr
Rock drill, 25 kg = US$5 /hr
Batching plant = US$102.98/hr
Vent Fan (20 KW) = US$ 9.77/hr
Shotcrete Machine = US$ 28.57/hr
Concrete Pump (3 cum) = US$ 20.00/hr
Concrete Vibrator = US$ 2.77/hr
Water pump (800 l/min) = US$1.90 /hr
Stone Crusher (50 Ton) = US$ 150/hr
Grout Pump = US$ 2.50/hr
13.5.4 Construction Material

The project site is accessible to the capital city, Kathmandu. During the unit price
development, the construction materials prices will be taken from the vicinity town of
the project area. More complex items such as drill material and rock support will
assumed to be imported from overseas or from India. Market prices of the major items
of construction materials are as follows;
UMIHEP 188
Tor steel reinforcement bar = US$748 / tn

Cement = US$149 / tn
Gelatine = US$ 2.35 /kg
13.5.5 Unit Costs

After combining the required resources mix and applying the expected crew production,
the total cost of an activity will be calculated and hence the unit cost was developed.
Major unit rate for the projects is as follows:
Surface works
Open cut excavation in river bed material = US$2.95 /cum
Open cut excavation in rock = US$ 10.56 /cum
Concrete M25 = US$156.92 /cum
Plum concrete (M 20) = US$107.08 /cum
Reinforcement steel = US$1106.36 /Mtn
Stone masonry = US$90.34 /cum
Formwork plain ordinary = US$7.31 /sqm
Gabions = US$39.89 /cum
Gravel surfacing and gravel bedding = US$41.94 /cum
Underground works
Tunnel excavation = US$41.05/ cum
Concrete M25 = US$ 156.92 / cum
Rock bolt ordinary type 2m long (dia. 25mm) = US$23.35 /m
Shotcrete (10 cm) = US$46.76 /sqm
Shotcrete (5 cm) = US$24.43 /sqm
Wire mesh shotcrete (10 cm) = US$41.38/sqm
Consolidation grouting = US$382.36 /ton
Reinforcement = US$1106.36 / ton
13.5.6 Indirect costs

Each unit cost for the civil works will include the contractor’s overhead which are
assumed to be 15% of direct cost.
13.6 Civil Costs

13.6.1 Infrastructure works
Cost estimate for camp facilities and approximately12 km of project roads for the
access to project components are estimated. The estimated cost for camp facilities,
access road for the project is about US$2.48 Million.
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13.6.1.1 Access road
In the powerhouse area, access road of about 1.5km length will be constructed to
approach surge tank and powerhouse area from nearest accessible road. In the
construction adit location, access road length of 0.5 km will be constructed from the
main proposed road head to the headrace inlet of construction adit 1. Similarly about
10km road id needed to be constructed to access headworks site from powerhouse
area.The estimated cost for the access road for the project is US$1.68 Million.
13.6.1.2 Project Camp facilities
As the construction of project requires development of large number of manpower and

acquisition of land for the construction of the project, different preparatory works have
to be carried out before the actual start of the construction works.
Employer’s camp is situated at Batase village. Design work of the building consist of
Layout plan and landscaping plan

Building works consisting of architecture design, utility design for water supply,
drainage and sanitary system and electrical system.
A total of 56 numbers of project staffs categorized as below is estimated to be

accommodated in the camp of the project.
Project Manager 1 No.

Division Chiefs 3 Nos.
Site in charge 3 Nos.
Engineers 10 Nos.
Officers 5 Nos.
Supervisor 15 Nos.
Drivers 4 Nos.
Others 15 Nos.
Total 56 Nos.
The project envisages the construction of following types of quarters, shades & facilities
to accommodate the project staffs of Upper Myagdi IHydropower project.
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Table 12.1: Detail breakdown of Camp facilities Cost (US$)

Type of Floor Estimated
S.No. Description of Building Nos. Unit
Building area cost
A double storey building is proposed
as office building. This building
consists of 14 rooms with a meeting
Office hall, store room and other
1 Building accessories 1 660 m2 200,052
Building consisting of living, bed &
Special guest kitchen dining room & attached
2 house toilet/bathroom 1 100 m2 41,927
This consist a bedroom, a living
room with a kitchen to be used for
3 PM's quarter residence to the plant manager 1 100 m2 41,927
This consist a bedroom, a living
Staff quarter room with a kitchen to be used for
4 type A residence to the office staffs 4 150 m2 179,688
Building consisting of living, bed &
kitchen one nos each also W/C and
staff quarter veranda to be used for the residence
5 type B of officers 2 66 m2 47,917
This type building consists of three
attached bathroom, bed room with a
Guest kitchen & one dinning/recreation hall
6 Building to use as a guest house 1 200 m2 71,875
Building consists of a dining hall
appropriate kitchen common toilet &
bedroom for kitchen boy &
7 Mess recreation 1 150 m2 47,917
Building to provide maintenance
workshop for electrical, mechanical
Workshop & & vehicle & store the necessary
8 Store Building equipments 1 72 m2 23,959
9 Vehicle Shed A shade of size 6m x 30m 1 180 m2 4,791

To provide medical facilities for the
official staff, consists treatment hall,
10 Clinic Building two patient beds & W/C 1 50 m2 13,177
The building consists a room,
11 Guard house kitchen, attached toilet & W/C 1 50 m2 13,177
Duty post of guard to control entry
12 Guard post & exit from the main gate 1 5 m2 4,791
Compound
13 wall As a boundary wall 1 600 m 20,964
River
protection
14 wall At the site of Ankhu river 1 150 m 19,944
At two locations (one permanent
15 Water supply and one temporary) 1 1 LS 39,532
16 Miscellaneous Different type of miscellaneous work 1 1 LS 26,359

Total Cost 7,97,997
UMIHEP 191
13.6.1.3 Water supply
Water supply system is planned to off take water for the camps at three locations. For
all three locations intake structures with filtration plants will be installed. In the
headwork site and water ways site, separate water supply is planned for the project
staff, contractor’s camp and labour camp. The estimated cost for the water supply
system is approximately US$23,364.
Project camp facilities includes the different types of building at camp site, river
protection wall at the site of Upper Myagdi, compound wall as a boundary wall, water
supply scheme & miscellaneous structures. The total cost estimated for the project
camp facilities for Upper Myagdi IHydropower project is approximately US$7,
97,991excluding VAT.
13.6.2 General Items

Sum of UD $ 4, 21,728 is provided for the general items for the project. This works
include Construction of labour camp, construction of staff quarter, workshop and
store,Insurance, land leasing etc.
13.6.3 Preliminary items

Sum of UD $ 6, 16,822is provided for the general items for the project. This works
include mobilization, demobilization cost for construction periods. Provision of
construction power during project is also made in this heading.
13.6.4 Cost of Civil Work

The total estimated cost for civil work excluding access road is US$28.55 Million without
contingencies and project management cost. Cost of the power tunnel is the major cost
in civil structure followed by underground settling basin and gated weir/ undersluice.
13.7 Hydro mechanical Works cost

Total amount of hydraulic steel structures including steel penstock of Upper Myagdi
IHydropower project will be US$3.95 Million.
13.8 Electromechanical equipment cost

Costs of the electromechanical equipment were estimated by a combination of methods
including:
Interpretation of budget prices supplied by potential suppliers, mainly for the larger and
more expensive equipment such as turbines, generators, power transformers and main
UMIHEP 192
inlet valves.Estimates using established international prices and/or relationships for

more routine items, the in-house information being based on years of collection of price
data, and often eliminates the errors of variations of prices occurring due to abrupt
changes in supply and demand.Percentage of lump sum provisions on a ratio basis,
based on experience for lesser miscellaneous items.
In mechanical services, the empirical relation, developed for estimation includes;

heating, ventilation, air condition, drainage, dewatering, oil storage, cooling water,
compressed air, embedded/exposed piping ducts, elevator, diesel generator,
maintenance equipment and water level measurements; andIn electrical services, the
empirical relation developed for estimation includes; low voltage switching, control
equipment, DC equipment, system transformers, communication equipment and station
service equipment.
The total electromechanical cost of Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project is estimated to

be 16.03 Million US $ (NRs 1715.74 Million @ exchange rate of 107) and approximately
US $ 300 per kW of installed power. The cost breakdown for different components is
shown in the table below.
Table 12.2: Breakdown of Electromechanical equipment

Amount
Description of Item
(US $.)
Turbine & its accessories - 2 sets 3,207,000.00
Cooling water system 400,875.00
Compressed Air System 320,700.00
Oil Handling System 240,525.00
Fire Fighting System 481,050.00
Power Station Crane 561,225.00
Diesel Generator 160,350.00
Generator & its accessories - 2 sets 3,527,700.00
Neutral Grounding Equipments 160,350.00
11kV Switchgear and Accessories 641,400.00
Protection and Relaying Equipments 521,137.50
Control and Instrumentation 481,050.00
LVAC Distribution 320,700.00
Cables 360,787.50
Power transformer and its accessories 1,443,150.00
Auxiliary transformer and its accessories 160,350.00
DC System 160,350.00
Earthing System 400,875.00
Anciliary equipment 641,400.00
UMIHEP 193
132kV protection and measuring equipment at Power

1,763,850.00
House and Interconnecting substation
Communication and Data Transfer System 80,175.00
Total 16,035,000.00
13.9 Transmission line

Power generated from the project is evacuated by transmission line of 28 km length
with single circuit 132 kV line with substation at Dana is estimated of US$3.92 Million.
13.10 Engineering and Construction Supervision

A provision of US$1.61 Million is made for engineering and management cost for
detailed engineering and supervision of the project during construction. This amount is
3% of the base cost (without physical contingency and taxes) as of 2016of the project.
13.11 Project Development Cost

3% of total base cost as of 2016 is provided for the owners cost. The owners cost for
the project is approx. US$1.61 Million.
13.12 Land acquisition and Environmental mitigation cost

Appropriate sum is allocated for environmental, compensation and mitigation purposes.
A provision of US$1.07 Million is made for the resettlement, environmental mitigation
and management cost.
13.13 Contingencies
Contingencies will be applied to various area of work to cover the changes in physical
scope which cannot be identified at this stage. Following allowances will be applied.
15% on surface civil works

20% on Underground civil works
5% on electromechanical, hydro-mechanical and Transmission works.
13.14 Project Cost

Total project cost estimated for 53.5 MW Upper Myagdi I Hydropower Project is
US$87.21Million with IDC. IDC has been estimated based on 10 % bank interest rate.
Summary of the project cost is depicted in table 12.3.
Table 12.3: Summary of the total project cost

Amount in
Item Discription of Works Amount in NRS USD
UMIHEP 194
A1 General Item 45,125,000 421,729

A2 Preliminary Works 66,000,000 616,822
A3 Camp Facilities 85,385,679 797,997
A4 Access Road 180,000,000 1,682,243
B Main Civil Works

B1 Coffer Dam 37,424,603 349,763
B2 Diversion Tunnel 38,910,798 363,652
B3 Headworks
Diversion Weir 120,237,327 1,123,713
Stilling Basin (Downstream Appron) 103,870,638 970,754
Upstream Appron 72,677,589 679,230
Undersluice 29,874,733 279,203
Flood Wall 26,019,101 243,169
Intake 63,962,113 597,777
B4 Intake Gate Opening 26,866,605 251,090
B5 Approach Tunnel 6,300,562 58,884
B6 Diverging Tunnel 37,960,519 354,771
B7 Settling Basin 286,366,407 2,676,322
B8 Converging Tunnel 18,980,260 177,386
B9 Flushing Tunnel 28,648,301 267,741
B10 Headrace Tunnel 1,605,717,965 15,006,710
B11 Surge Shaft 67,200,750 628,044
B12 Penstock Tunnel 35,273,865 329,662
B13 Construction Adit For settling Basin 47,686,587 445,669
B14 Construction Adit For HRT 10,970,728 102,530
B15 Anchor Block 48,820,811 456,269
B16 Powerhouse 92,475,244 864,255
B17 Tailrace 31,312,876 292,644
I Base Civil Cost Total 3,214,069,060 30,038,029
Physical Contingencies@15 % for surface
II works (A and Up to B4,B15 to B17) 160,344,467 1,498,546
Physical Contingencies@ 20
III %Underground works (B4 to B20) 429,021,189 4,009,544
IV VAT @13% of Items (I+II+III) 494,446,513 4,620,995
V Total Civil Cost (I+II+III+IV) 4,297,881,229 40,167,114
C Hydro-electro-mechanical Works -
C1 Steel Penstock Pipe and Accessories 300,000,000 2,803,738
C2 Gates and Accessories 123,591,375 1,155,060
C3 Electromechanical equipment 1,715,745,000 16,035,000
C4 Transmission Line 420,000,000 3,925,234
C5 Base H-E/M Cost total 2,559,336,375 23,919,032
C6 Contingencies on H-EM Cost @ 5% 127,966,819 1,195,952
Custom Tax @ 1% (of Item No. 50% C 1
C7
+ C 3 + 75% of C 4) 21,807,450 203,808
Value Added Tax @ 13% of Item No.
C8
(25% of C 1+ C 2 + 25% of C 4) 39,466,879 368,849
Total H-E/M Cost (Item No. C5 + C6
+ C7 + C8) 2,748,577,523 25,687,640
UMIHEP 195
Total Base Cost without Physical

D
Contingencies and taxes ( I+C5) 5,773,405,435 53,957,060
Total Base Cost with Physical
E Contingencies and taxes (Item
A+B+C) 7,046,458,752 65,854,755
Environmental Mitigation and Land
F
acquisition @ 2% of D 115,468,109 1,079,141
Engineering, administration and
G
management @ 3% of (Item D) 173,202,163 1,618,712
Project Development Cost @ 3% of Item
H
No. D 173,202,163 1,618,712
I VAT on Engineering Cost 13% on G 22,516,281 210,433
Total Cost (Item No. E + F + G + H +
J
I) 7,530,847,468 70,381,752
K Price Contengencies 10% of base cost 577,340,543 5,395,706
L Total Project Cost (Item No. K +J) 8,108,188,011 75,777,458
M Interest During Construction (IDC) 1,223,744,492 11,436,864
N Total Project cost with IDC 9,331,932,503 87,214,322
Per MW cost 174,428,645 1,630,174
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Chapter 14 – Project Evaluation
UMIHEP 197
14.1 Financial Evaluation

Financial evaluation involves real term expenditure and income scenario to predict
financial indicators like Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit Cost Ratio (BC Ratio),
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) and Payback Period etc.
14.2 Assumptions
Financial evaluation is based on a number of key assumptions and parameters. A
reference or base case for analysis was prepared and then sensitivity cases were
analysed. The principal criteria and parameters are discussed below.
14.3 Analysis Period

Main civil construction work of the project is assumed to start during dry season of Year
2017. Financial analysis period has been taken as 30 years after commercial operation
date.
14.4 Project Benefits

Energy generated by the project will be supplied to a distribution utility, Nepal
Electricity Authority. Project has already concluded power purchase agreement (PPA)
with NEA. The PPA tariff as per PPA agreement is follows:
For four dry season months, Poush - Chaitra (mid-Dec to mid-April) – NRs. 8.40/kWh
For eight wet season months, Baisakh - Mangsir (mid-April to mid-Dec) – NRs.
4.80/kWh
Prices will be escalated at 3% per annum for eight years from commercial operation
date and will be flat thereafter.
14.5 Construction Period

Project is assumed to complete within 4 years time after start of Construction.
14.6 Repair and Maintenance Cost

It has been assumed that 0.5% of the project cost will be required annually to meet
repair and maintenance cost including replacement costs. This value has been derived
from the experience of hydropower projects in the country. This cost will be escalated
annually by 5% after commissioning.
14.7 Depreciation
Depreciation rate applied is 3.33% percent per annum is used.
UMIHEP 198
14.8 VAT
VAT @ 13% is payable to the government or its bodies have to be considered in the
financial evaluation.
14.9 Debt Equity

As hydropower projects are highly capital intensive, funds has to be obtained from
various financial institutions like banks, credit organizations. It is also imperative that
such a project could not be built solely on loans as the lender will require that the
Developer also put some funds. For the present study, debt-equity ratio of 70:30 has
been assumed.
14.10 Interest Rate

Loan amount will require some interest to be paid on the amount borrowed. The
interest will be capitalized till the project starts producing revenue. Generally, the banks
are charging 10% - 12% for such loans. For the present study, an interest rate of 10%
has been considered.
14.11 Loan Repayment Period

Debt portion will have a grace period equal to the construction period and the
repayment starts after the revenue generation starts. For this project, a loan repayment
period of 10 years has been used.
14.12 Other Charges

In addition, banks will charge service charges. These charges are bank specific and
assumed to be 1% of loan amount.
14.13 Disbursement
Major amount of the project cost is disbursed within construction period in the
proportion of 5% in the first year, 15% in the second year, 30% in the third year and
50% in the fourth year. However, annual cost including operation and maintenance cost
is spread over the period of the analysis. Similarly, the project benefits are received
during the operation period only.
14.14 Financial Analysis – Assumptions and Result

A preliminary financial analysis was carried out for cash flow of revenue and
expenditure. Analysis on dry season energy – 45.48GWh and wet season energy –
261.70 GWh was carried out for revenue calculation.
UMIHEP 199
It has been assumed that debt equity ratio will be 70:30 with an interest rate of 10%
on debt. Royalties and taxes have been deducted from the revenue.
Table 14-1: Financial Analysis – Assumptions and Result

Basic Data
Base Year 2016

Construction Period 4Years
Start Year of Construction 2017
Financial Factors
Insurance Charges 0.5% of Total Project Cost
Financial Costs
Total Project Cost without IDC NRs. 8108.18 million
Total Project Cost With IDC NRs. 9331.93 million
Total Project Cost in USD without IDC USD 75.77 million
(1 USD = NRs. 107)
Loan
Debt : Equity 70 : 30
Loan Amount NRs. 5675.73 million
Interest Rate 10%
Loan Repayment (after commercial operation) 10 years
No. of payment per year 4.00
Energy Production
Firm or Dry Season 45.48 GWh
Secondary or Wet Season 261.70 GWh
Energy Prices
Energy Benefit
Dry Season Energy Price 8.40 NRs./kWh
Wet Season Energy Price 4.80 NRs./kWh
Estimated CoD 2020/2021
Escalation of Energy Prices 3%
Number of years for above escalation 8
Income Tax
Till 7thyear of operation 0%
th th
8 -10 year of operation 10%
After 10th year of operation 20%
UMIHEP 200
Royalty
Upto 15 years - Energy Royalty 2.00%
Upto 15 years - Capacity Royalty / kW installed (in NRs.0.00015
Millions)
After 15 years - Energy Royalty 10.00%
After 15 years - Capacity Royalty / kW installed (in NRs.0.00120
Millions)
Other Assumptions
Growth on Salary and Wages per year 3%
Depreciation (on project cost ) 3.33% (i.e. 30 years of CoD)
Repair and Maintenance (on project cost) 0.5%
R & M escalation per year after commissioning 5%
Insurance cost (after commissioning) 0.5% of project cost
Results
Without IDC With IDC
Project Internal Rate of Return 16.78% 14.66%
Equity IRR 26.89% 22.05%
Project NPV NRs. 2514.39 million NRs1558.15 million
Project Benefit Cost Ratio 1.62 1.33
Average DSCR 1.82 1.57
Project Payback Period 5.40 years 5.10 years
Annual Revenue (Energy Sale) NRs. 1638.19 million
Yearly Revenue Projection
Yearly Revenue Total on 100% Yearly Revenue Total on 90%

Year (in NRs. Millions) (in NRs. Millions)
5 1,638.19 1,474.37
6 1,687.33 1,518.60
7 1,736.48 1,562.83
8 1,785.62 1,607.06
9 1,834.77 1,651.29
10-35 1,883.91 1,695.52
14.15 Sensitivity Analysis (Project Cost with IDC)

14.15.1 At Project Cost with 10% Cost Over-run
Sensitivity test was performed by increasing the investment cost by 10% i.e. the project
cost will be NRs. 10265million.
UMIHEP 201
Results
Project IRR 13.32%
Project NPV NRs. 828.94 million
Project BC Ratio 1.16
Average DSCR 1.42
Project Payback Period 6.6 years
Project’s IRR under this sensitivity test is well above the opportunity cost of capital of
10% and Net Present Value is positive. Average DSCR and Benefit Cost Ratio are more
than one as well. Therefore, the project is economically viable even with 10% increase
in investment cost and IDC.
14.15.2 At 90% of project revenue
Results
Annual Sales Revenue (after 1st year of production) NRs. 1474.37 million
Project IRR 13.15%
Project NPV NRs. 657.31 million
Average DSCR 1.40
Project Payback Period 7.0 years
According to the results obtained, the project is economically viable even with 10%
decrease in revenue.
14.15.3 Interest Rate Increased to 12%
Results
Project IRR 14.65%
Project NPV NRs. 1518.14million
Average DSCR 1.44
Project Payback Period 6 years
According to the results obtained, the project is economically viable even with interest
rate at 12%.
UMIHEP 202
Chapter 15 – Conclusion and Recommendation
UMIHEP 203
15.1 Technical Features

Installed capacity of the Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project is 53.5 MW. This scheme
comprises 52m longOgee type weir with crest level at EL.1359.00 will divert the design
flow to the intake located at the left side of the River. The weir will have a layer of
abrasion resistance concrete of min. 20cm. Two sluiceway of width 4.00 meters has
been provided before the intake. The sluice way 4.0m width & 4.8m high will be
provided. Desanding system of the plant is located about at the distance of 140m from
the intake. It is underground type. It has two basins with length 120 meters, width
7.50meters & 11.55 meters height.Total length of headrace tunnel of 4 m finished
diameter is 5.5 km. A surge shaft with diameter of 6.50 m and height of 55 m is
proposed at the end of headrace tunnel. Powerhouse is connected by a 770 m long
penstock having 3m diameter. Two Francis turbines of 26.75 MW capacities each will be
installed in a surface powerhouse at Marang VDC. 220 m Tailrace discharges water back
into Myagdi River downstream of the confluence between Marang and Myagdi River.
Geologically, proposed project area lies in the Ranimatta Formation of the Lesser
Himalaya, Central Nepal. This formation is comprised of the thick-bedded, fine-grained,
and grey to greenish grey schist and phyllite intercalated with fine to medium grained,
grey to greenish grey quartzite. The dip directions of rocks ranges from 340° to 010°
(northwest to northeast) with dip amount ranging from 25° to 50° .Left bank of Myagdi
Khola within project area has mostly exposed bedrock and thin to thick colluvial deposit.
Exposed rock is Phyllite and phyllite with quartzite make exposure on both bank at weir
area. Proposed settling basin lies on alluvial terrace deposit. Proposed tunnel alignment
encounters different lithology as passes through mostly phyllite, schist, and occasional
bands of thin to thick quartzite. Proposed structures; surge tank, penstock, powerhouse
and tailrace lies on phyllite and schist with quartzite intercalation.
About 12km long access road needs to be built to make access to the headworks site,
powerhouse site and surge tank area of the project.
A 28km long single circuit 132kV Transmission line is required to to evacuate power
from this project’s powerhouse up to proposed Dana Substation of Myagdi district
Based on the hydrology, topography, geology and structural sitting of project

component as described above, it can be concluded that the project is technically
feasible. Based on the topographic features of uphill areas on the right bank of the
river, an underground option is technically preferred. However, detail study and
investigation will be necessary for their proper selection in the detail engineering study.
UMIHEP 204
15.2 Financial Features

Construction planning study shows that the project can be commissioned in FY
2076/77. The total duration of the project from the commencement of its detail
engineering design to its completion is 5 years, while the total construction duration of
the project after the award of the main contract is estimated as 4 years.
Financial analysis is carried out with the assumption that the developer will invest it in
local currency. Developer Company will arrange the required finance through
commercial banks and equity. The project will be developed according to the prevailing
hydropower policy. The entire energy will be sold to Nepal Electricity Authority through
a mutually agreed power purchase agreement.
Total annual energy generation from the plant is 323.88 GWh. However, the annual
energy available for sale excluding outage, station consumption and transmission
losses, totalling 5% comes out to be 307.68 GWh. Out of which 261.46 GWh is the wet
energy and 46.22 GWh is the dry energy.
Cost estimate of Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project has been carried out based on
2016 price level. Major cost components are divided into Land and support, Pre-
operating expenses, infra-structure works, main civil works, hydro-mechanical works
and electromechanical works & transmission line works. Cost of value added tax and
contingencies have also been considered in the cost estimate. Total construction cost of
the project without interest during construction as of 2016 is estimated at NRs. 8,108
Million.
Financial analysis of the project is carried out to assess the financial viability of the
project. PPA is expected to follow the prevailing practice in Nepal. i.e. NRs. 8.40/kWh in
the dry season) and NRs. 4.80/kWh in wet season with annual escalation of 3% for five
times from the commercial operation date.
Internal rate of return of the project works out to be 16.78%. Likewise, benefit cost
ratio is 1.62 and NPV is NRs. 2,514 million. Average debt service coverage ratio is 1.82
as summarised below.
Table 15.1: Financial indicators of the project

Energy rate in NPV in NRs. IRR B/C DSCR Equity
NRs./kWh Millions ratio IRR
8.40 (in dry season) 2,514.39 16.78% 1.62 1.82 26.89%
4.80 (in wet season)
UMIHEP 205
15.3 Conclusions
Proposed run-of-river project of 53.5MW on the Myagdi River, located on Myagdi
district, is not only technically feasible but also financially attractive. Based on the
feasibility study, this project is recommended for implementation at the earliest.
15.4 Recommendations
Following are the recommendations made during this stage of the study:
Hydrological review is necessary to confirm the design discharge and low flows. With
the measurement started by fixing gauge station some year back, data measurement
shall be continued and re-analysis is necessary based on recent measured data.
Efficiency of the hydraulic structures largely depends on the quantity of sediment flow
in the river. The effective way of estimation of the sediment is the measurement during
the monsoon periods. It is recommended for the daily sediment measurements during
next monsoon.
Energy rate for the projects bigger than 25MW is fixed on the negotiation. So the actual
financial & economic analysis shall be done after the negotiated rate with NEA.
UMIHEP 206

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Feasibility Study Report

FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT

UPPER MYAGDI-I HYDROPOWER PROJECT

Feedback Infrastructure Services Nepal Ltd.

VOLUME I MAIN REPORT

VOLUME II MAPS AND DRAWINGS

VOLUME III ANNEXES

GWh Gigawatt Hour

O&M Operation and Maintenance

Upper Myagdi-I Hydropower Project is situated at Myagdi District, Western

Installed capacity of the Upper Myagdi-IHydropower Project is 53.5MW. This scheme

meters & 11.55meters height.Total length of headrace tunnel of 4m finished diameter is

This project is planned to be commissioned by the end of FY 2020/2021, with

Capacity IRR (%) B/C DSCR NPV (M NRs)

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE PROJECT

Source River : Myagdi River

2.0 Hydrology & Meteorology

Catchment Area : 665 km2

3.0 Diversion Weir & Intake

Diversion Weir - Type : Overflow Ogee

Intake - Type : Side Intake

Undersluice - Size : 4 X 4.8m (WXH)

4.0 Desilting Basin

5.0 Water Conveyance

Tunnel -Type : Inverted D

6.0 Surge Shaft

Penstock Pipe - Type : Mild Steel

9.0 Tailrace cannel

10.0 Transmission Line & Grid Connection

Length : 28 km (upto proposedDana Substation)

11.0 Power Transformers

13.0 Total Cost of the Project : NRS 9331.933 Million

14.0 Specific Project Cost : US$ 1630.85 per kW

15.0 Internal Rate of Return (IRR) : 14.66%

16.0 Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) : 1.33

17.0 Construction Period : 48 months

CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 19

4.9 Compensation Flow ........................................................................................ 53

8.3.2 Water Conveyance: ...................................................................................... 115

11.4.2 Local Construction Material ............................................................................ 174

14.11 Loan Repayment Period ................................................................................ 199

TABLE 3.1: POINT COORDINATES AND ELEVATION ...................................................... 29

TABLE 8.1: DETAILS OF PH OVERHEAD TRAVELLING CRANE: ...................................... 131

1.2 Objective and Scope of Work

1. Data/Information collection and review of past studies

1.3 Organization of Report

The main report (Volume I) has following eleven chapters.

Chapter 2- Description of Project Area

2.2 Physical Features

UMIHP Project Area

UMIHP Project area

Figure 2.2: Climatological Map of Nepal and location of Project area

Chapter 3–Field Investigation and Data Collection

3.1 Topographical Survey and Mapping

3.1.1 Available Maps

i. Topographic Maps from the Department of Survey, Topographic Survey

 Monumentation of Control Points

Table 3.1: Point Coordinates and elevation

Table 3.2: Coordinates and elevation of ground control stations

S. N. Northing Easting Elevation Stn Remarks

3.1.3 Horizontal and Vertical Control

Mean angle and distance computation was checked precisely.

3.1.5 Data Processing