Sweco shows its power in Nepal

Unique competencies in the field of hydroelectric power make Norway extremely attractive in terms of bringing power to faraway places. Now Sweco is in the process of exploring the possibilities of hydroelectric plants in Nepal.

This fall, Sweco Norway at Lysaker began to investigate and chart the possibilities for expansion of hydroelectric power plants at the Tamakoshi River in Nepal.
Their goal is to find different alternatives for expansion and to recommend a solution that causes the fewest possible consequences for the population and for the environment in and around the river, and the best possible technical and economical development of the power plant.

The project was awarded by SN Power, and a year from now, analyses, drawings and recommendations will be ready. Because in fall of 2009, the Tamakoshi team at Sweco is to deliver the report that will decide whether or not the expansion of the power plant in Nepal will be executed.

An effect of 400 MW

“The power plant is designed to utilize a waterfall of 300 meters total, and will have an installed effect of around 400 MW. This corresponds to the effect of two and one-half Alta power plants,” says division manager Jørn Tyrdal of Sweco Norway.

“Some of the power produced will be used to cover power needs in Nepal; the rest of the power will be sold to India,” he says.

The power plant that is to be expanded has the name Tamakoshi 2 and 3, and it is located approximately 100 km east of the capital city, Kathmandu. SN Power, which is owned jointly by Statkraft and Norfund, competed with several other power companies and won the license from Nepalese authorities to investigate the power plant more closely. Sweco was given the job.

Environmental considerations important

“We will undertake geological measurements and hydrological measurements, such as basic examinations and measurements of water availability. We will make design-related recommendations and study what the expansion will mean for the people who live there, and what environmental consequences can follow,” says Tyrdal.

Today there is a strong focus on environmental consequences at all hydroelectric power plant expansions. It is required to investigate environmental and social consequences before expansion work is started.

“Hydroelectric power plants can have an effect on the environment. It can happen that people have to move because of dam placement. River beds can dry up and the water quality in the river can be diminished. This too can create ecological changes,” Tyrdal says.

“For this reason, it is extremely important that we carry out comprehensive consequence studies, and suggest measures that will limit harmful effects.”

Valuable Norwegian competency

Sweco has years of experience with this kind of investigation both in Norway and in other countries.

Demand for the company’s knowledge about hydroelectric power and environmental competence is also great in other countries.

“Norway is known both for cost-effective solutions and for its unique underground technology. We have about half of the world’s hydroelectric power plants in the mountains. This competence is in high demand in the rest of the world,” says Tyrdal.

When Sweco is operating abroad, they also make use of local competence.
“Working on this project is a team that consists of both international and local experts. Our technical competence in the field is important, but just as important for the project is the local knowledge that the local experts in their field have at hand,”

Politically neutral

Another point that keeps Norwegian hydroelectric competency in demand in the international context is the fact that Norwegians are seen as politically neutral and honest, Tyrdal believes.

“In our investigation of this type of project, we have no hidden agenda regarding the advice and recommendations we give,” he says.

“We meet many challenges internationally, including political ones. For this reason, we always make thorough investigations before we present a bid.”

He relates that Sweco receives many referrals, but rejects up to 90% of them. They prioritize private parties and Norwegian clients who need their expertise internationally.

“Some places are so strongly marked by political unrest that we choose not to present a bid. Sweco keeps its distance if we have suspicions about bid processes that are not done cleanly,” according to Tyrdal.

“We have zero tolerance for corruption, and we will decline if we even see a slight indication of it. There are plenty of other interesting tasks,” the division leader concludes.