Electricity from national grid reaches Susta Rural Municipality in Nawalparasi

KATHMANDU: In a major milestone for rural electrification in Nepal, electricity from the national transmission grid has reached Susta Rural Municipality-5 in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), a remote area across the Narayani River. This marks a significant step in providing stable power to the isolated community, which is bordered by India on one side and encircled by the Narayani River on the other three sides.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) successfully completed the construction of an 11 KV transmission line stretching approximately five kilometers from Sakardinayi to Susta settlement. A suspension bridge, spanning 1,571 meters across the Narayani River, enabled the installation of the power line and ensured electrical safety. The bridge was critical to overcoming previous challenges in extending power to the region, as installing poles in the river had been deemed unfeasible.

Connecting Susta to the National Grid

This is the first time that Susta has been connected to the national grid. Prior to this, the community relied on a 100-kilowatt solar power system, developed in collaboration with the Rural Municipality, the Lumbini Province Government, and the Alternative Energy Promotion Center. However, the solar system faced frequent maintenance issues, resulting in an unreliable power supply for the approximately 350 households in Susta.

In response to the community’s request for a more dependable power source, the NEA installed two distribution transformers, each with a capacity of 100 KVA, ensuring stable electricity from the national grid. The connection and testing of the power lines and transformers have been successfully completed, and residents of Susta can now enjoy a consistent electricity supply.

Strategic Importance of Electrification

Kulman Ghising, Executive Director of the NEA, hailed the project as a significant achievement in Nepal’s broader electrification campaign. He emphasized the strategic importance of connecting Susta to the national grid, particularly due to its proximity to the Indian border. From a national security perspective, providing reliable power to this border area carries added importance.

Ghising noted that while solar power had previously been available, it did not meet the quality and reliability standards required for the community’s daily needs. The NEA’s project fulfills the long-standing demand for a stable and secure power source.

Challenges and Delays

The electrification project, which began in the fiscal year 2022/23 with a budget of Rs 13.3 million, faced delays due to the challenges posed by the Narayani River. The inability to install transmission poles in the riverbed meant that the project could only proceed once the suspension bridge was completed.

Despite the delays, the project represents a key step forward in Nepal’s rural electrification efforts, aiming to bring electricity to even the most remote parts of the country. The residents of Susta, who had struggled with unreliable solar power for years, will now have access to consistent and reliable electricity, improving their quality of life and supporting local development.