Nepal Electricity Authority launches state-of-the-art international-level data center

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art data center meeting international standards. The facility, located alongside the Load Dispatch Center in Syuchatar, Kathmandu, is designed to eventually offer services to commercial companies as well.

The data center, constructed using a “pre-fabricated container” method, is housed in a three-story building. The ground floor hosts the control room for monitoring, regulating, and securing the Kathmandu Valley’s underground electricity distribution system. The first floor contains office and network operation rooms, while the top floor is dedicated to the data center itself.

Built to meet Tier 3 international standards, this data center is the first of its kind in Nepal, constructed under the Digital NEA program to modernize and digitize NEA’s service delivery. The center will integrate and store all data related to NEA’s information technology and servers.

Kul Man Ghising, Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority mentioned that with the data center now operational, NEA is working towards creating its own private cloud for data storage. He also highlighted the ongoing process to establish a disaster recovery center at the new Butwal Substation in Sunwal, Nawalparasi, for data security. Until this facility is completed, the existing old data center at NEA’s head office will serve as the recovery center.

The newly launched data center features 40 IT racks, including 36 server racks and 4 network racks. It has uninterrupted power supply (N+1 power supply), cooling, automatic fire control, CCTV surveillance, continuous monitoring for operations and security, among other provisions to meet Tier 3 standards. Multiple backup arrangements ensure continuous power supply.

To handle local and national power system issues and maintain safe operations, two 1 MW capacity generators are on standby. Additionally, two 300 kVA modular UPS units have been installed, utilizing lithium-ion batteries for reliability. Maintenance and equipment replacement do not require the center to shut down.

Optical fiber connections, including alternative routes, link NEA’s head office in Ratnapark to the data center. The connections run through Teku and Balaju, ensuring robust communication.

The data center also includes infrastructure to monitor, regulate, and control the Kathmandu Valley’s electricity distribution system, enhancing the automation of the ongoing underground distribution project. This will connect the Valley’s substations and switching stations, managing and monitoring the electricity distribution system below 11 kV.

Moreover, a charging station capable of simultaneously charging three electric vehicles has been set up within the data center premises.

The contract for the center’s construction was signed with the Chinese company Yantai Dongfang Wisdom Co.LTD in July 2021, with work commencing in November of the same year. The project, funded by the government, NEA, and a concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank, is estimated to cost around NPR 1.40 billion.