NEA pushes for timely completion of Dharapani-Khudi 220 kV substations amid local challenges

KATHMANDU: Under the Marsyangdi Corridor 220 kV Transmission Line Project, a 220 kV capacity substation is being constructed in Dharapani, Naso Rural Municipality-1 of Manang. The 220 kV substation in Khudi, Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-3, Lamjung, is in the final stages of construction.

The Dharapani substation is targeted to be completed within a year and a half, while the Khudi substation is expected to be finished within the next three months. Work at Dharapani includes land leveling, construction of the power transformer installation site, control rooms, and other civil structures.

The substations at Dharapani and Khudi will have 220/132 kV, 100 MVA, and 132/33 kV, 30 MVA power transformers, as well as 220/132 kV, 160 MVA, and 132/33 kV, 50 MVA capacity power transformers. Both substations will provide local electricity supply upon completion, which will improve the reliability and quality of power supply in Lamjung and Manang.

Nepal Electricity Authority’s Executive Director Kulman Ghising has conducted an on-site inspection of the project, discussing the construction progress, challenges, and timelines with project management and contractors. He urged all involved to add workforce as needed to ensure timely completion of the transmission line and substation. Ghising also encouraged local residents of Dharapani to support the construction.

“The hydropower projects set to connect to the Marsyangdi Corridor transmission line have already commenced, so it’s essential to complete this line quickly. Attention to timelines and construction quality is crucial to expedite progress,” said Ghising. “While electricity has reached Manang through the national transmission line, issues remain with reliability and quality, which will require the rapid completion of the transmission line and substation.”

The Marsyangdi Corridor 220 kV Transmission Line Project aims to feed power generated by the Marsyangdi and its tributaries into the national grid. The transmission line is expected to carry approximately 1,600 MW of electricity.

The 114-km double-circuit transmission line, stretching from Bharatpur, Chitwan, to Dharapani, Manang, is divided into three packages. The first package, covering about 68 km from Udipur to New Bharatpur Substation via Markichowk in Tanahun, is under construction. Foundations for 125 out of 199 towers are complete, and 65 towers have been erected, with remaining work ongoing.

The second package includes the completion of 220 kV substations at Udipur in Lamjung and Bharatpur in Chitwan.

The third package includes the 46-km transmission line from Dharapani to Khudi and Udipur and the substations at Dharapani and Khudi. The 16-km Khudi-Udipur transmission line section has foundations for 17 towers, and 8 towers are erected. However, some local residents in Besisahar Municipality-8 have demanded route changes or full compensation for land affected by the transmission line and have been blocking construction for the past two years.

In the Khudi-Udipur section, 80% of landowners have received compensation. Ghising requested Lamjung’s Chief District Officer, Buddha Bahadur Gurung, to assist in resolving issues in the Khudi-Udipur section. “We are committed to addressing locals’ legitimate demands and have acted accordingly. Construction of this important line must proceed,” he urged.

Chief District Officer Gurung assured support for the national priority project, emphasizing coordination to resolve obstacles.

The assessment for acquiring private land for the Khudi-Dharapani section is ongoing. The project faces geographical challenges in constructing the line in remote areas.

Funded by the Nepal Government, Nepal Electricity Authority, and a concessional loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the project’s total estimated cost is around NPR 16 billion.