June 17, 2019, Kathmandu
The much awaited 400/200-kVA high-voltage Dhalkebar substation is likely to start operations by December. Once the substation comes into operation it will be able to transmit cross-border electricity as well as strengthen the domestic distribution system.
The 400/200 kVA substation is the only substation that is being built with the sole investment of the government.
According to Kul Man Ghising, managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), after the completion of the substation, it will be able to export and import 900 megawatts of electricity to and from India.
As per NEA, construction work of the 400 kVA cross-border transmission line has already been completed and the transmission line is currently being charged. After the completion of the substation, it will be able to transmit high-voltage electricity not only across the border with India but also for domestic consumption.
“After completion of 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi hydropower project, Nepal will have surplus electricity and the Dhalkebar substation will help in the import and export of electricity with India and also open the way for energy banking with the southern neighbour,” Ghising further said.
During his site visit to the substation in Dhalkebar on Saturday, Ghising directed Bajra Bhusan Chaudhary, deputy managing director and also the chief of transmission directorate of NEA, to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.
As per NEA, the contractor company has completed almost 95 per cent of engineering works, 60 per cent works of installing generation and supply works, and 40 per cent of installation and civil works so far.
Moreover, NEA is also constructing 400/220 kVA substations each in Hetauda of Makawanpur and Duhabi of Sunsari, with the aim to strengthen domestic demand and supply and to export electricity to India.
According to NEA, as the power utility did not receive permission from the District Forest Office (DFO), Saptari to cut trees along the route of the double-circuit 400 kVA Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Duhabi transmission line, the construction works had been halted for a few months. “A Cabinet meeting on May 28 had allowed NEA to cut trees along the route of the transmission line but Dhirendra Pratap Singh, head of the DFO in Saptari intentionally halted the construction works,” said Ghising.
Source: The Himalayan Times
