SITE VISIT & ASSESSMENT REPORT

UPPER CHAMELIA SMALL HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

(2X20000 KW)

June 2016

Developer:
API POWER COMPANY
5th FLOOR, TRADE TOWER, THAPATHALI
KATHMANDU-NEPAL
Ph+977-01-5111037
e-mail : [email protected]

Consultant :

Hydropower Consultants
Complete Hydro Power Solutions
V 1001, Amrapali Sapphire
Sector 45, NOIDA-201301, India,
Tel/Mobile: +91-9971004799
e-Mail: [email protected]
Upper Chamelia Hydroelectric Project Site visit & Assessment
June 2016 Api Power Company

Table of Contents
Page
1 General ....................................................................................................... 4
2 Location ...................................................................................................... 4
3 Project Layout and options ........................................................................... 6
3.1 General Geology........................................................................................... 6
3.2 Option studued ............................................................................................ 6
4 DETAILS OF PROPOSED PROJECT ALIGNMENT .............................................. 9
4.1 Diversion Works ........................................................................................... 9
4.2 Feeder Tunnel to Desander ..........................................................................10
4.3 Head Race Tunnel .......................................................................................11
4.4 Adits...........................................................................................................12
4.5 Surge Shaft.................................................................................................12
4.6 Penstock .....................................................................................................12
4.7 Power House and Tail Race channel .............................................................13
4.8 Infrastructure Requirements ........................................................................13
5 Project Power Parameters ............................................................................15
5.1 Hydrology ...................................................................................................15
5.2 Head ..........................................................................................................15
6 Basic Cost Projections ..................................................................................15
7 Basic Financial Project .................................................................................16
8 Details of Field Investigation and details required ..........................................16
8.1 Topographical Survey works ........................................................................16
8.2 Surface Geological Mapping .........................................................................17
8.3 Schedule of quantities of Geological Investigation .........................................18
8.4 Schedule of quantities of Laboratory Testing .................................................18
9 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR DETAILED PROJECT REPORT .............................19
9.1 Volume 1 – Main Report ..............................................................................19
9.2 Volume II Bill of Quantities and Rate Analysis ...............................................20
9.3 Volume-3 Drawings .....................................................................................20
9.4 Volume-4 Appendices ..................................................................................20

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List of Figures

Figure 1: Project Location ...................................................................................... 5

Figure 2: The alternative layouts on toposheet .................................................... 8
Figure 3: The alternative-2 imposed on google earth map .................................. 8
Figure 4: Weir Site ................................................................................................ 10
Figure 5: Desilting Basin Location ....................................................................... 11
Figure 6: Powerhouse Location ............................................................................ 13
Figure 7: Proposed Survey Boundary .................................................................. 17

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1 General

Api Power Company (APC) had been awarded Survey License for Upper Chamelia
Hydroeletric Project in Darchula District for its development as a self-identified
project. APC has invited AVA hydropower Consultants to provide engineering
services for preparation of DPR for the project.

Upper Chamelia Hydroelectric Project is located in Darchula District of Mahakali

Zone in Far western Region of Nepal. During prefeasibility studies it was estimated
that the project shall utilize the 40% probability discharge of 22.79 m3/s with gross
head of 215m to generate 253 GwH of annual energy. The generated power will be
evacuated from project switchyard to Balanch Substation through 16.0 KM long,
132kv double circuit transmission line.

As per studies the project alignment was spread from downstream of the confluence
of Rugru Gad and Chameliya River upto Lama Bagar village. The main structures of
the project were 35M long raised weir, 120 M long desilting basin, 3500mm Dia 5
kM long power pipe, 18M diameter and 30M high surge tank, 500 M long 3100mm
diameter penstock and 40Mx12M size cavity power house. The generated energy of
253 GwH shall be transmitted to Balanch substation through 16 kM long 132 kV line.

As a first step in the present assignment, AVA and APC teams carried out joint
reconnaissance visit to the project site. The current report presents the
reconnaissance Visit Report covering basic assessment of the project.

2 Location

The project is located in Darchula district of Far Western Development Region of

Nepal at about 915 kM from Kathmandu. The project is connected by National
Highway from Kathmandu via Bhutwal-Attaraiya and upto Dadeldhura and further
115 kM long Mahakali Highway upto Gokuleshwar. Power House is located at about
27 kM from Gokuleshwar and is connected through all-weather unmetteled road.

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Diversion site is located further on the same road alignment at about 5.5 kM
distance including bridle path of about 3 kM. Nearest Airport Dhangarhi is at 257 kM
from Power house and is approachable through Attaraiya. There is an existing
airport at Gokeleshwar. However presently there is no commercial flight to
Gokulashwar.

Api Power Company has one operational hydro project of 8.5 MW on Naugad and
other 8.0 MW under-construction project “Upper Naugad” on Naugad, one of the
tributary of Chamelia.

The project is located between elevations of 1265 amsl and 1059 amsl. The project
boundaries are as below

East : 80° 50’ 00" E

West : 80° 47’ 00" E
North : 29° 46’ 57" N
South : 29° 44’ 00" N

Proposed location
of Chameliya HEP

Figure 1: Project Location

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3 Project Layout and options

3.1 General Geology

General Geology of the project is good and is represented by dolomitic limestone,

siliceous dolomitic limestone, black, purple shale and slates. The project Area lies
beyond Ramgad Central Thrust main influence zone and no major geological
problem is expected during construction of the project.

3.2 Options studied

3.2.1 During desk study, Upper Chamelia project was conceived as run of the river
scheme with buried power pipe on left bank as water conductor system. During
reconnaissance it was found that after 2 kM from proposed power house location,
terrace is not available for a substantial length of project alignment. Chamelia is a
major river and aligning the power pipe along river course shall not be advisable.
Therefore the option is dropped.

3.2.2 Another alternative was to align the buried power pipe along right bank of the river.
However the river is meandering and sufficient terrace is not available on the right
bank. Therefore the option is dropped for similar reason.

3.2.3 Third alternative was to lay the buried power pipe along the river course with
crossing of river per requirements. Still the terrace was not available for complete
length. Further multiple crossing is not advisable for power pipe of such a large
diameter carrying 22.7 cumec of water. It would be costly as well as more
susceptible to exposure to environment and temperature stresses. Therefore this
option is dropped.

3.2.4 Fourth and fifth alternative were tunnel alignment on either banks of the river. The
tunnel cost shall be about 15-20% cheaper than power pipe alignment. Further post
construction, tunnel system is maintenance free and is more preferable. The

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geological conditions are suitable for tunnel alignment on both banks. Comparative
of two options is as below.

Comparative Study of Tunnel Alignment of Upper Chamelia HEP

S
Parameter Left bank Right bank
N

Shall require three bridges

Total project site is connected with existing
and some additional roads
road network. Only connecting approach
1 Approach to approach Diversion,
roads to Power House, Surge tank and
Desander, surge tank and
Diversion are to be constructed
power house site.

Diversion
2 Both options are same Both options are same
works

3 Feeder Shall require Feeder Tunnel May require Feeder Channel

Terrace is not available within vicinity. Long

feeder tunnel or underground desander are
Terrace is available for
4 Desander two options. While longer feeder tunnel
surface Desander
shall mean headloss, underground Desander
shall be expensive for such capacity project.

Shall need detour to cross Tangad and

therefore longer tunnel and adit issues.

5 Alignment Due to Pari Bagad Nalla, either the tunnel Adit points are available on
length is too large to get sufficient rock both ends
cover, or tunnel gets daylight at nalla
crossing

6 Length 5800m 3550m

7 Surge Tank Terrace is available Terrace is available

Terrace is available. Better

8 Power House Terrace is available chances of longer tailrace
and increase in head

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Figure 2: The alternative layouts on toposheet

Figure 3: The alternative-2 imposed on google earth map

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4 DETAILS OF PROPOSED PROJECT ALIGNMENT

Relative comparison of various alternatives gives clear edge to alterative-5 over

others. Therefore, Alternate-5 is considered as final alternative adopted for further
studies. The adopted layout plan as per alternate-5 is attached herewith as
Appendix-A. Important observations of alternate-5 are summarized below:

4.1 Diversion Works

Since it is a ROR project, weir type diversion structure is being adopted. Rock is
exposed at both the abutment.

It is narrowest opening between two banks and flares wide on downstream.

However the Tail water level of upstream project shall decide the crest level and
freezing the location of the weir. API has been requested to get requisite
information.

In case of getting sufficient levels, this shall be ideal location for placement of weir.
During construction phase, the water shall be diverted through Diversion tunnel on
left bank. In case sufficient levels are not available, diversion works shall have to be
relocated on downstream. In such case the layout shall undergo a change with wide
and more expensive weir and realignment of feeder system to desander.

Weir shall be founded on overburden, hence concern of rock availability at

foundation is not significant. However, liquefaction studies shall be done for the
study of barrage foundation including bearing capacity in next stage of project.

Average river width at the barrage axis is considered as in desk study report. The
weir shall be so designed and located that it is sufficient to pass the design flood of
the project.

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Proposed
Upper
Chamelia Dam

Figure 4: Weir Site

4.2 Feeder Tunnel to Desander

A ‘D’ shaped 4mx4m feeder tunnel will carry water from reservoir to surface
desilting basin. Total length of feeder tunnel is approximately 550m. Rock is
exposed at inlet and outlet portal of intake.

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Proposed
Desilting Basin

Figure 5: Desilting Basin Location

4.3 Head Race Tunnel

After desander, the HRT 3.5m (W) x 4m(H) D shaped finished enters into the hill.
Because of the small size of the tunnel the excavation of the tunnel shall have to be
‘D’ Shaped. During design stages techno-economical evaluation shall be considered
between options of ‘D’ shaped and Modified horse shoes tunnel. Total length of the
HRT upto surge shaft is approx. 3550m. The tunnel shall be so aligned that rock
cover over the tunnel should not exceed 500m. Such restriction shall minimize the
chances of squeezing of the tunnel. This is important because the project lies in the
outer influence zone of Main Central Thrust.

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4.4 Adits

Adit-1: D shaped 4.5m dia 340m long adit is provided for HRT at approx. 2150m u/s
of surge shaft.

Adit-2: A 50m long adit is provided at bottom of surge shaft.

4.5 Surge Shaft

The restricted orifice type surge shaft is proposed. It shall be kept open to sky. Its
location shall be finalized based on suitable topography, geology and to avoid any
major Nala in vicinity of the structure.

4.6 Penstock

Approx 2.8m ɸ circular steel penstock pipe of total plan length 940m and linear
length of approximately 1150m shall be laid. It includes underground penstock with
horizontal length of 50m starts from bottom of surge shaft. After that it becomes
inclined surface penstock upto river bank level. Then it goes in downstream direction
and bifurcates into 2m dia each before entering to powerhouse.

Just after the bend at the bottom of inclined penstock, it crosses the Nala as shown
in layout plan. Suitable safety arrangement shall be made for penstock while
crossing the Nala.

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4.7 Power House and Tail Race channel

A wide terrace is available at the right bank of rive as shown in layout plan. The
Surface powerhouse of approximately 65m x 80m x 30m high is proposed at this
Terrace at the bank of Chemelia River. Water will be release back in to river through
open channel tail race. The tail race for the project shall be planned after detailed
survey and geological mapping to draw maximum advantage of the allotted project
coordinates

Proposed Upper Chamelia

Powerhouse at right bank

Figure 6: Powerhouse Location

4.8 Infrastructure Requirements

This is a tunnel based project situated on opposite bank of the existing road
alignment and shall require sufficient infrastructure for development.

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4.8.1 Roads & Bridges:

I. Approach to Power House: It shall be 6.5m wide and about 1.5 kM long
metaled road with a bridge across Chamelia. The road with a ruling gradient
of 1:15 shall capable of carrying heavy loads to power house.

II. Approach to Surge Shaft: It shall be 4m wide and about 2.5 long WBM
road with a suitable ruling gradient. It shall connect intermediate point of
power house approach to Surge shaft location.

III. Approach to diversion site and desander: It shall be connecting main

road to diversion site and desander. Total approximate length of such roads
shall be 3 kM with one permanant bridges for desander and one temporary
bridge to facilitate the construction of weir.

IV. Approach to Adit: In case the adit is required, an additional road of about 2
kM length shall be constructed to facilitate the construction.

4.8.2 Project Colony & establishment:

A project colony, offices, workshops and other associated establishments shall have
to be established before start of the project. It is suggested that initially the
permanent project colony be constructed and used for construction personnel to
save in double establishment cost.

4.8.3 Communication

As the communication system in the area is extremely poor, the office complex shall
be proposed as wi-fi with installation of dish. Communication to site shall be done
through walkie-talkie sets of independent frequency.

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5 Project Power Parameters

5.1 Hydrology

As per Desk Study Report the catchment area of Chamelia at Diversion site is 653.6
sq kM. Chamelia is a snowfed river with a perpetual snow cover of 63.5 sq kM
above 5000 MSL. A good catchment area of 427.1 sq kM experiences seasonal
snowfall. Average rainfall for hydrology purposes is considered as 1500 mm. The
design discharge of the project is 22.57 cumec at 40% probability. The details as
available shall be studied during preparation of Hydrology chapter to form the
design discharge and parameters of the project. Considering the fact that 10 % of
catchment area lies in perpetual snow cover and another 70% experiencing
seasonal snowfall, the specific yield of the project should be better than lower
projects.

5.2 Head

As per Desk Study report, the gross head of the project is 215M. This shall be
checked during detailed survey works and maximum possible head covering the
allotted coordinates shall be considered.

6 Basic Cost Projections

As per preliminary assessment the hard cost of the project shall be NR 5125
million. (Annexure F-1) The project shall be constructed in three years’ time.
Following considerations have been made for working out the final cost of the
project

a) Debt: Equity ratio as 70:30,

b) Interest rate as 11%
c) Composite escalation as 5%

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d) Loan Repayment period 12 years

Final cost of the project shall be NR 5939 million. (Annexure F-2) The financial
figures may undergo a change upto 10% during final DPR stages.

7 Basic Financial Project

Following assumptions have been considered for financial projections

a) Tax Rate 15% after seven years tax holiday
b) License Fee NR 100/Per kW for 15 years and NR 1200/kW thereafter
c) Royalty 1.85% for first 15 years and 10% thereafter
d) O&M cost @2% of capital cost with 5% annual escalation

The financial projections are enclosed as Annexure F-3

8 Details of Field Investigation and details required

Api Power may intimate the TWL of upstream project and distance from proposed
weir axis. This is a requirement for deciding the location and height of diversion
weir.

8.1 Topographical Survey works

 Topographical survey of 5m grid interval is required for feasibility studies.

All the physical features and rock exposures shall be marked on the survey.

Boundary of the survey requirement is marked in the figure.

 River cross sections at every 25 m 250 m either side on Diversion weir, 150m
either side of powerhouse and 50m either side of desander

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Figure 7: Proposed Survey Boundary

8.2 Surface Geological Mapping

Geological mapping on the topographical surveyed area shall be done along with
preparation of geological report chapter and recommendations.

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8.3 Schedule of quantities of Geological Investigation

Total
Total price
S. Length of drill
Structure Unit in NR
No. drill hole (m) length
(m)
Core drilling in rock including
2 holes of 30m
overburden using hydraulic feed
each at Dam
rotary drill and double tube core
site
barrel with diamond bit including
collection of core samples, performing
1 hole of 30m
1 SPT at locations where core recovery
at surge shat
is less than 20%, maintaining
continuous record of core
1 hole of 30m
recovery/RQD, keeping the cores in
depth at
wooden core boxes, transporting to
powerhouse
laboratory, providing cap on top on
completion ofsetting
Mobilization, the same, and
up of including
machine at
2 local shifting
Site and for different
demobilization borehole Each
of equipment 1
locations,
from the Siteall complete as per the BIS
specification and instructions of the
3 Standard
Engineer. Penetration Test (SPT) Each 15

8.4 Schedule of quantities of Laboratory Testing

Sr.
Unit rate Total price in
N
Type Unit Qty. NR
in NR
o
.
1 UCS (in-situ water content / dry) Each 6
UCS with modulus (saturated) Each 6
2
Petrographic test Each 6
3
Direct shear test Each Set 3
4

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9 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR DETAILED PROJECT REPORT

9.1 Volume 1 – Main Report

 Executive Summary

 Salient Features

Chapters

1. Introduction

2. Project Settings

3. Field Investigations

4. Hydrological Studies

5. Sediment Studies

6. Geological and Geotechnical Studies

7. Seismicity

8. Project Alternatives

9. Optimization Studies

10. Design of Civil Structures

11. Electrical Equipments and facilities

12. Mechanical Equipments and facilities

13. Power Potential Studies

14. Power Evacuation

15. Construction Planning

16. Environment Impact Assessment

17. Cost Estimates

18. Financial Analysis

19. Final Recommendations

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9.2 Volume II Bill of Quantities and Rate Analysis

9.3 Volume-3 Drawings

Surveys, Geological maps, Civil, Electro-mechanical & Hydro-mechanical

drawings, layout drawings etc.

9.4 Volume-4 Appendices

Site investigation, Geology, Construction material report etc.

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