Kathmandu — Electricity from the national transmission line has reached Susta Rural Municipality–5 in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West). The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has constructed approximately 5 kilometers of 11 kV line from Sakardinayi in Susta Rural Municipality–5, bringing electricity from the national transmission grid to the Susta settlement across the Narayani River.
An 11 kV line has been constructed from both sides of the 1,571-meter-long suspension bridge built over the Narayani River, ensuring full compliance with load management and electrical safety standards, to deliver electricity to the Susta settlement.7
With the Nepal Electricity Authority extending the 11 kV line, the Susta settlement, which is surrounded by the Narayani River on three sides and bordered by India on one side, is now connected to the national transmission line. The expansion of the electricity line became possible after the construction of the suspension bridge over the Narayani River, which links the Susta settlement.
Electricity supply to the Susta settlement was previously provided by a 100-kilowatt solar energy system, which was installed in partnership with the Rural Municipality, the Lumbini Provincial Government, and the Alternative Energy Promotion Center. However, due to the inability to conduct regular maintenance of the solar energy plant, the electricity supply was not reliable.
Two distribution transformers with a capacity of 100 kVA each have been installed to supply electricity to the Susta settlement. The installation and testing of the power lines and transformers have been completed. Now, electricity will begin to be supplied to the households from there. There are about 350 households in the Susta settlement.
Kulman Ghising, the Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, stated that electricity from the national transmission line has been brought to Susta as part of the final journey towards complete electrification under the campaign to light up the nation. “Although electricity was being supplied to the Susta settlement through solar energy, it was neither reliable nor of high quality. The local residents had been demanding electrification, and the arrival of the national grid in the Susta settlement, which borders India, is also significant from the perspective of national identity,” said Managing Director Ghising.
The electrification project for the Susta settlement, with an estimated cost of NPR 13.3 million, was started in the fiscal year 2079/080 (2022/23). Since it was not possible to install poles in the Narayani River to extend the power line across, they had to wait until the completion of the suspension bridge.
The NEA is fully prepared to implement the Nepal government’s announcement to provide reliable and quality electricity to every Nepali household within the current fiscal year. Currently, the electrification rate stands at 99 percent. The NEA is working to electrify remote settlements and improve and expand the system in electrified areas to ensure reliable and quality electricity supply.
