Nepal Electricity Authority is set to renovate and modernise the 15MW Gandak Hydropower station by installing new equipment as much of the machinery is worn out.

The state-owned power utility said it would soon call tenders for renovating one of the oldest power projects in the country.

The project located at Pratappur Rural Municipality-7 in Nawalparasi (West of Bardaghat Susta) was commissioned in 1979 with Indian assistance as per the Gandak Treaty signed between the two countries.

The plant produces electricity from one of the two canals that India has been using to irrigate its land in Uttar Pradesh.

The NEA said in a statement on Wednesday that it planned to overhaul the plant as electromechanical equipment including turbines, breakers, and the governor system are no longer fully functional.

NEA Managing Director Kul Man Ghising was stated to be preparing to invite bids to hire the contractor for the overhaul.

“The power plant is out of work for nearly four months when India shuts the canals,” said Ghising.

The southern neighbour usually shuts the canals twice—in October-November and March-April—for repairs and inspection. The plant cannot produce electricity during this period.

According to the NEA, the plant has three turbines. One is fully damaged while the other two are in workable condition but need an overhaul.

The state-owned power utility said that the NEA Engineering Company, a subsidiary unit of the NEA, has already prepared a detailed design for renovation and estimated the cost at around Rs420 million.

As per the Gandak Treaty, India is responsible for operating the Gandak barrage. The power plant can be operated only when India does not close the canals.

“We lose potential earning of millions of rupees when the canals are shut down for four months,” said Sunil Kumar Chaturbedi, chief of the Gandak Power Station.