Agreement reached to advance the construction of transmission line for 103 MW Middle Bhotekoshi Hydro

KATHMANDU: In a significant development, an agreement has been reached to advance the construction of the transmission line for the 103 MW Middle Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project, which is being constructed in Sindhupalchok under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The agreement was reached during a discussion held on Wednesday among key stakeholders, including Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka, State Minister Purna Bahadur Tamang, Federal MP of Sindhupalchok-2 Mohan Bahadur Basnet, Joint Secretary of the Ministry Sandeep Kumar Dev, NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising, Mayor of Barhabise Municipality Bal Krishna Basnet, local ward chairpersons, Assistant Chief District Officer, President of the Industry and Commerce Association, and representatives of the project.

The discussion centered on resolving the obstruction that had stalled the construction of a two-kilometer section of the four-kilometer transmission line for the past 14 months. The transmission line is crucial for connecting the powerhouse switchyard of the project in Barhabise Municipality-5 to the NEA’s Barhabise substation in Ward No. 3 of the same municipality.

Out of the 220 kV single-circuit transmission line, 13 towers had been constructed, but due to obstruction from residents of Palati in Barhabise Municipality-3 and 4, the project had been unable to lay the two kilometers of transmission cables. The transmission line passes through the right-of-way (ROW) that affects the land of 124 landowners.

During Wednesday’s discussion, an agreement was reached to provide adequate compensation for the land and structures affected by the ROW of the transmission line. The project also agreed to provide financial assistance to Barhabise Municipal Hospital under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative through the municipality.

Additionally, the project agreed to include Wards 3 and 4 of Barhabise Municipality as part of the affected areas and to provide support for development works in these areas similar to other affected regions. The parties also agreed to immediately resume the remaining construction of the transmission line.

Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Khadka emphasized the importance of resolving the ongoing obstruction to complete the construction of the transmission line, which is essential for integrating the Middle Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project into the power system. He directed that all parties implement the agreement with sincerity and complete the remaining work within a month.

State Minister Tamang instructed the immediate start of construction work as per the agreement and stated that he would regularly monitor the progress. MP Basnet acknowledged the risks he had taken to advance the project in the past and expressed his support for addressing the legitimate demands of the local residents.

NEA Executive Director Ghising urged the stakeholders to create an environment for immediate electricity production from the project by completing the remaining work on the transmission line. He also informed that the construction of the 220/132 kV substation required for transmitting electricity from the project has already been completed.

Target to Start Electricity Production by October

Once electricity production begins from the Middle Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project, the electricity will be used to charge the Barhabise substation. However, during the testing phase, a leakage was detected in the tunnel while water was being introduced into the structures and equipment for testing.

The tunnel has since been repaired, and remaining works are ongoing with the goal of starting electricity production by October.

A temporary alternative arrangement has been made to transmit electricity from the Middle Bhotekoshi Project. Electricity reaching the Barhabise substation through the 200 kV transmission line will be stepped down to 132 kV and transmitted through the 132 kV transmission line.

For this purpose, the 132 kV transmission line constructed by Shivashree Hydropower, the promoter company of the 22 MW Upper Chaku A Hydropower Project, is being used to connect to the Barhabise substation.

The electricity from the Middle Bhotekoshi Project will be integrated into the national grid via the Lamosanghu substation through this transmission line. The temporary alternative arrangement will remain in place until the Khimti-Barhabise or Barhabise-Kathmandu transmission line is completed, after which the electricity will be transmitted through these lines.