Langtang Project

The Langtang Microhydro Electricity Project was the first hydropower project. The project draws power from a glacial lake called Langtang Lirung Glacier.

What are the key features of Langtang Project?

• The project was built after the 2015 earthquake avalanche. It was built three years after the disaster. The earthquake devastated the valley. Thus, the project has high significance in the country.
• The project was built with the help from Hong Kong based Kadoorie Charitable Foundations.
• The cost of the project was 534,000 USD.
• The project has a weir and spillway at the moraine. The water from the lake is taken through a fibre glass insulated penstock pipe. From there it is taken to the power house to generate 100 KW of power.
• The power plant provides 24 hours of electricity to 120 households in the region.

What is the inference of Langtang Project?

The project draws water from a glacial lake. This shows the devastating impacts of climate change in the region. Though the project has high economic significance, unfortunately it reveals the darker side of climate change. The climate change has serious imprints in the region, especially in the eastern Himalayas in Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal. Hundreds of new lakes are formed at the snouts of glaciers. Some have even found outlets and emptied themselves.

What are the challenges in building Langtang Project?

Transporting equipment and construction materials is the biggest challenge. Most of the glacial lakes in the region are located in great heights. For instance, the Lantang Lirung glacier is at 4,000 metres from the sea level. The water is drained to lower altitudes to generate power. Still, the Langtang Project is a huge inspiration to the other regions.