Wed Sep 18 06:06:51 UTC 2024: ## Spunang Hydropower Project Faces Setback Due to Water Leakage
**Punakha, Bhutan:** The second unit of the 1,020 MW Spunang Hydropower Project has been delayed due to a water leakage issue discovered during testing and commissioning.
The leakage was detected in January, forcing the project to halt power generation and testing activities. While the main construction works have been completed, the filling of the reservoir, initiated on February 21st, has also been affected. The second unit was scheduled to begin its commissioning process on August 15th.
The leakage has been traced back to the turbine, causing concerns about potential overheating. While the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and the project’s management have not yet officially confirmed the source of the leakage, the reservoir level has been observed to be decreasing.
This setback has significantly impacted the project timeline, delaying the commissioning of the second unit and the installation of other equipment. The Ministry is coordinating with engineers and the project’s contractor to rectify the issue, with efforts underway to identify and implement solutions.
Project officials assure that this leakage is not a new phenomenon, as similar issues were encountered during initial construction phases. They also claim that the situation is being addressed efficiently, with plans to rectify the issue within a month.
The leakage has raised concerns about the project’s overall timeline and potential impact on the country’s energy generation capacity. Despite the challenges, project officials remain optimistic about completing the project successfully.
First Piper 