Performance Analysis and Rehabilitation Prospective of Aged Small Hydropower Plant – A Case Study of Fewa Hydropower Plant (1 MW)

Abstract

Fewa Hydropower Plant is under operation since more than 50 years. Due to continuous deterioration of hydro mechanical and electromechanical components, efficiency of the plant has been reduced significantly and it has generated less energy/power than designed generation. The study investigates the plant rehabilitation prospective after conditional assessment status of power plant along with evaluation of performance indices which indicates current operational scenario. In engineering project investments, financial analysis has been regarded of paramount importance. So, overall financial analysis for assessment of rehabilitation along with performance improvement approaches by increasing efficiency, better operational practices, safety and regulatory capacity of hydropower plants results to improve operational stability and reliability of power supply system thus illustrating main objective of rehabilitation of hydropower projects. One lesson of this exercise is to include hydro plants in rationally planned rehabilitation cycles despite of emergency rehabilitation. Energy generation per annum from rehabilitated plant is 5.35 GWh greater than existing plant and difference in Annual Revenue is NRs.35.21 Million. Financial Analysis resulted with BC ratio: 1.61, IRR: 19.91%, NPV: 84.5 million NRs and Payback period: 8 years, which indicates project feasibility. Thus, investigations have shown that the project holds great scope for rehabilitation, renovation and modernization.