Structural and construction features of the Tanahu hydro project, Nepal

Tanahu is Nepal’s first major storage-type hydropower scheme, and is located about 150 km west of Kathmandu. Located in the rugged mountainous terrain of the Lesser Himalaya, it is part of a cascade of hydropower developments on the Seti river. The project’s main works are divided into three packages: the dam, the waterways and power generation system, and a 34 km transmission line. Construction of the project began in 2019 and it is expected to be completed by 2028. Tanahu will make a significant contribution to Nepal’s electricity generation. Delivering such a major project involves a wide range of activities that must be planned and coordinated carefully both before and during execution. This paper highlights the key structural and construction features of the civil works.