Kathmandu, October 15, 2026: Construction of the 132/11 kV Chobhar Substation, considered crucial to strengthening the reliability and quality of electricity supply in the Kathmandu Valley, has reached its final stage. One of the two power transformers installed at the substation under construction in Ward 6 of Kirtipur Municipality will be energized and brought into operation immediately after Dashain.
Two 45 MVA power transformers have been installed at the Chobhar Substation.
One circuit of the Matatirtha–Chobhar section of the Thankot–Chapagaun–Bhaktapur 132 kV double-circuit transmission line project, which will supply electricity to the substation, has already been energized.
The Chobhar Substation is expected to play an important role in meeting the growing electricity demand, particularly in Kirtipur and surrounding areas of the Kathmandu Valley, as well as around Pulchowk in Lalitpur, while ensuring a reliable and quality power supply.
A team comprising Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, Deputy Managing Director of the Transmission Directorate Nawaraj Ojha, Chief of the Distribution and Customer Service Directorate Rajan Dhakal, and other officials conducted an on-site inspection of the substation on Thursday. The team held discussions with project management officials, consultants and contractors and received updates on construction progress.
During the inspection, Managing Director Shrestha directed the concerned officials to complete the remaining work promptly and energize the substation immediately after Dashain, as the transmission line supplying electricity to it had already been energized.
Highlighting the importance of the Matatirtha–Chobhar transmission line and the Chobhar Substation in managing the Kathmandu Valley’s growing electricity demand during the upcoming winter, he stressed that both infrastructure projects should be given high priority and brought into operation as soon as possible.
Nine 11 kV feeder lines have been planned to distribute electricity from the Chobhar Substation to local areas. Of these, three feeders will extend towards Pulchowk in Lalitpur and six towards Kirtipur. The feeder line expansion work is in its final stage, and the substation will be energized immediately after Dashain once the work is completed.
The 132/11 kV substation was constructed in Chobhar as an alternative arrangement after obstructions prevented construction work from proceeding in Khokana, Bungamati, Harisiddhi and Lamatar in Lalitpur under the Thankot–Chapagaun–Bhaktapur 132 kV transmission line project.
Construction of an approximately 4.5-kilometre-long 132 kV underground transmission line from Chobhar to Patan is also being carried out on a high-priority basis. Work is underway to construct a 132 kV substation in Patan as well.
The Chobhar Substation has been built on 12 ropani and 12 aana of land owned by Himal Cement in Bhutkhel, Chobhar, which has been leased for the project. A Cabinet meeting held on January 31, 2022, decided to lease the land to the Nepal Electricity Authority for substation construction.
The substation has been constructed using a concessional loan provided under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-supported Kathmandu Valley Transmission Capacity Strengthening Project.
