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NATIONAL NEWS Pradhan and Adhikari Honoured highlighting the value of sediment and flow measurement in the development of water resources projects. The inau- guration program was chaired by Mr. Tore S. Jorgensen, the Director of ICH, Norway. Mr. Jorgensen highlighted that the workshop location is ideal as the whole South Asia region has been facing challenges in dealing with the sediment induced problems while developing the water resources for their economic development. Study on Corruption in Water Sector A half day Workshop Nepal Water Integrity Network Mr. Balaram Pradhan, Chief Advisor of HYDRO Nepal (WIN) Study was undertaken on November 30, 2010 in and past President of Nepal Hydropower Association Kathmandu which was jointly organized by Jalshrot Vikas (NHA) and Mr P.P Adhikari, past President NHA were Sansthan (JVS)/Nepal Water Partnership and the WIN. felicitated by NHA on the occasion of its AGM in rec- Scoping report was presented in the workshop by Mr. Per ognition of theior outstanding and valuable contribution Ljung, Consultant, PM Global Infrastructures, Inc. After rendered to the development of Nepal Hydropower As- finalizing this scoping report, a wider in depth study is sociation (NHA) and overall development of hydropower proposed in in Nepal. The AGM took place on 24 Dec. 2010 in Kath- mandu. Some members expressed concern that NHA has a) Water Integrity Scanning not been able to make its presence strongly felt in hydro- b) Reforming Hydropower Licensing power sector. c) Integrity mapping Small Water Schemes d) Program Management and Technical Support Sediment Workshop 2010 The proposed program is estimated to cost US $ 250,000 The 6 days long Sediment Workshop with the theme and will take about 18 months. “Sediment Management for sustainable Development of Many officials of Hydropower” was started in Kathmandu on 15 November the related gov- 2010. The workshop was jointly organized by the Interna- ernment institu- tional Centre for Hydropower (ICH), Norway and Hydro tion and NGO Lab Private Limited, Nepal (HLPL). This workshop was were present. It planned in three parts involving theory, practical exercises was discussed in and field trip to the headwork of Middle Marsyangdi Hy- the workshop that dropower Plant, Nepal that gives a strong base for any en- about 20-30% of gineering training and studies. There were 21 participants from 7 countries. They were from India, Iran, Kenya, Ne- the budget is lost in the corruption. To improve the quality pal, Norway, Pakistan and Sri Lanka representing Univer- of life, these corruption practices must be eradicated. Mr. sities, Consulting Firms, Construction divisions, Private Donald O’ Leary, Sr. Advisor, WIN International Steering Power Developers, Electricity Authorities, and Govern- Committee (with HQ in Berlin) informed that WIN has ment Organizations. planned to under take similar research in 15 countries by 2015. The purpose of the workshop is to get feedback on Dr. Meg B. the proposed Scoping Report from the respective stake- Bishwa- holders. karma, the General Man- Friday Forum of IPPAN ager of HLPL On December 3, 2010 a talk program was under taken by highlighted IPPAN on the topic of Power Evacuation Status, Issues the need for and Options. The Speaker was Mr. Ram Chandra Pandey, paying more Director of Transmission Line and sub-Station Construc- attention in tion Department of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). the planning Mr. Pandey is also the project manager of the Cross Bor- and design of der Transmission Line Project. The 400 kV, double cir- hydropower plants planned to be built in the steep sedi- cuit, cross border transmission line project will evacuate ment loaded rivers, as the developed theory and guide- power from export oriented hydropower projects of Nepal lines are not adequate to address the hydraulic and sedi- to India. Under the 38 point program of National Energy ment related problems in such rivers. Prof. Dr. Haakon Crisis in 2008, GON has envisaged the construction of 29 Stole from NTNU, Norway, gave a keynote lecture on “A numbers of 132/220/400 kV transmission lines with total new framework for flow and sediment gauging networks” line length of 2,255 ckt km. HYDRO NEPAL ISSUE NO. 8 JANUARY, 2011 75 The requirement of new transmission lines and strengthen- streams, DHM charging exorbitant fees for the hydro- me- ing of the existing ones require huge investment that is not teorological data. The greatest drawback is the very nomi- available with NEA/GON. In many lines, there is bottle- nal fee set by the AEPC for the feasibility study/ design neck such as in Bardaghat-Bharatpur- Hetauda sector. Do- of the micro/mini hydro projects. The highest fee is Rs nors have condition of investing/assisting only in financial 3,00,000/- for one project of mini hydro size which is not viable projects. Further, the right way is a great issue. A even sufficient for a topographical survey. Further, there is ROW Compensation Policy is urgently required. Mr. Pan- unhealthy competition among the consultants themselves. dey presented the status, issues concerned of the Trans- There are many obstacles in the consulting industry in the mission line projects. Mr. Pandey informed that planning micro/mini hydro sector. There are several problems in of a Transmission line has been extremely complex and micro systems that have been installed. About 70% of the challenging in absence of reliable data (project in a pipe installed plants are not operational due to lack of proper line etc.) and uncertainties. He dealt dealt with the status operation & maintenance (O&M). In about 75% of the of different transmission line projects of NEA, difficulties cases, the users are not able to pay back the loan taken faced by NEA in its implementation. He also explored, in for the installation of the micro hydro project. There is his paper, the possibility of private financing in system de- problem of proper installation. Till now only high head velopment and adaptation of new methods and technology turbines (mainly Pelton) is being used. There are no low in transmission system development. head turbines being fabricated in Nepal. The upper limit has been 100kW for turbine manufacturer. INPIM Nepal Talk Program on Tran basin Water Transfers in Nepal Four groups were formed to brainstorm each on strength, A Talk Program on “Tran basin Water Transfers in Nepal: weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT). The Four A Case of Bheri-Babai Diversion” was organized on 22nd Groups after brain storming on their respective themes October 2010. Mr. Madhav Belbase, Regional Director, presented their recommendation. Executive Director of Mid-western Regional Irrigation Directorate presented Alternate Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), Mr. Chaula- the Talk. It mainly covered why Tran basin water trans- gain stated that the recommendations of the Workshop fers were necessary in Nepal and presented an overview of will be taken seriously by AEPC and would recommend the proposed Tran basin water transfers projects viz. Ka- to the Govt. for its implementation. ligandaki-Tinau, Kaligandaki-Nawalparasi, Trisuli-Chi- wan, Madi-Dang, Sunkosi-Kamala and Bheri-Babai. Mr. Power tariff review plan a non-starter Belbase then went on to talk about details of Bheri-Babai After months of debates and discussions surrounding a diversion project and in the process mentioned about the possible hike in electricity tariff‚ the process is yet to inch different studies carried out including the latest by JICA in forward owing to a discord between Electricity Tariff Fix- 1998 which identifies four options for tunnel alignment. ation Commission (ETFC) and Nepal Electricity Author- Out of these, BR1-1 and BR1-3 were considered to have ity (NEA). Minister for Energy‚ Dr Prakash Sharan Ma- minimum environmental hazards and BR1-3 was consid- hat‚ expressed discontent over the functioning of the ered to produce better economic benefits (EIRR 13.86). commission and demanded its dissolution. At a meeting The plant discharge has been optimized for 40 m3/s dis- of the parliamentary committee on natural resources to- charge and that Detailed Studies of the project compris- day‚ he said the commission was of little use. ing of three components, viz. A-Irrigation, B-Hydropower and C-Transmission Line is currently underway. He men- Electricity Tariff Rules‚ 1994‚ allows NEA to hike power tioned that as per the present plan 40 m3/s of Bheri water tariff by a maximum of five percent per year. However, the will be diverted to Babai by 2017. Mr. Belbase concluded rates remaining unchanged since 2001. The commission the presentation with some discussion on the various chal- headed by former secretary of the Ministry of Water Re- lenges that Tran basin transfers in Nepal will have to face sources‚ Mahendra Nath Aryal‚ has been putting the deci- and sharing his ideas and suggestions as to how the project sion on hold. According to him‚ a hike in tariffs ignoring should proceed. the irregularities in NEA will do no good. The Commis- WECAN Workshop on Consulting Business sion has also pointed out that commitments made by NEA A Half day Brainstorming Workshop on “Consulting Business during the price hike in 2001 are yet to be fulfilled. “It is Workshop in Micro Hydropower Development: Opportuni- a shame for all of us to face hours of load shedding. This ties and Challenges” was organised on 4 November 2010 in problem is not going to be solved without political will. Kathmandu, Nepal. The workshop was organized by Water The committee should summon heads of the political par- & Energy Consultant’s Association (WECAN) in cooperation ties and get their commitment for hydropower develop- with Nepal Hydropower Association (NHA) and Kathmandu ment‚' said Gagan Thapa‚ a member of the committee. University (KU). Dr. Ramesh K Maskey, President of WE- Source: The Himalayan Times CAN presented a paper on the mentioned topic.