Nepal's Experience of Power Crisis and Turning Point
A decade ago, Nepal experienced power cuts for several hours a day, severely affecting daily life.
At that time, Nepal faced severe electricity shortages, forcing residents to rely on self-generated power to cope with frequent blackouts.
To alleviate the power shortage, Nepal had to purchase electricity at high prices from neighboring India, but the problem was not fundamentally solved.
It wasn't until the construction and operation of the "Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Power Station" by China that Nepal's electricity problem was resolved, with surplus power even available for sale to other countries.
So, what exactly happened?
Nepal's Geography and Electricity Predicament
Nepal covers an area of less than 150,000 square kilometers, with over 80% of its land covered by high mountains.
The world's highest peak, Mount Everest, partially lies within Nepal's borders.
The complex geographical conditions made power supply a major challenge, with weak infrastructure, outdated grid technology, and high power losses leading to severe electricity shortages.
To alleviate domestic power tensions, Nepal had previously bought electricity from India, but at high costs, and the supply remained insufficient, leading to up to 14 hours of daily blackouts and candlelight becoming the norm.
Despite Nepal's abundant water resources and immense hydropower potential, hydropower development had been neglected due to factors such as immature technology, complex terrain, and high construction costs.
It wasn't until China's project team identified this potential, estimating an initial power generation capacity of 43 million kilowatts, which could significantly alleviate power shortages.
Construction of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Power Station
In 2010, China and Nepal reached a cooperation agreement, officially commencing the construction of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Power Station.
Dubbed as the "Little Three Gorges," this project showcased China's advanced technology in hydropower station construction.
During the design phase, the primary challenge was constructing the dam in the geographically complex Himalayan region.
The project team chose to construct it on the southern foothills of the Himalayas at an altitude of about 2,000 meters, requiring the construction of roads leading to the mountains and excavation of two vertical shafts approximately 700 meters deep.
Despite facing challenges such as scorching heat, fierce storms, and earthquakes during construction, the engineering team persevered and ultimately completed the excavation and concrete pouring of the deep vertical shafts.
From Power Shortage to Power Export
After years of hard work, the Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Power Station was finally completed.
It brought stable power supply to Nepal, significantly improved coverage, and greatly enhanced people's lives.
The support of electricity promoted industrial development in Nepal, created numerous job opportunities, and propelled national economic growth.
More surprisingly, Nepal not only ceased to rely on purchasing electricity from India but also began exporting electricity to neighboring countries like India, reaping substantial profits.
In contrast, India relies on coal-fired power generation, and with coal prices continuously rising, it faces immense pressure.
Through the construction of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Power Station, Nepal not only solved the problem of power shortages but also stimulated economic development and environmental protection.
This project proves that Nepal can leverage its abundant natural resources for sustainable development.
With the implementation of more similar projects, Nepal is moving towards a more prosperous and greener future.
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