Sarlahi 15,March 2022. A 132-33 KV substation constructed in Lalbandi Municipality-1 Nawalpur of Sarlahi with the joint investment of the government and Nepal Electricity Authority has been inaugurated. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal inaugurated the substation on Tuesday.
In the inauguration program, she urged the general Nepali people to increase electricity consumption not only for lighting but also for cooking, irrigation and running industries.
Stating that the government has reduced the electricity tariff for irrigation in the Terai and Madhes region as there is ample potential for irrigation, Minister Bhusal urged to replace petroleum powered equipments for irrigation. “Right now, we are importing more than Rs 200 billion worth of foodgrains annually. Let’s increase production by irrigating using electricity, let’s not keep barren fields,” he said.
She urged the people to work towards the substation as it would help in industrialization by providing quality and reliable power supply to the region. Speaking on the occasion, Sarlahi Federal MP Pramod Kumar Sah said that the people of the area have started getting reliable and quality electricity after the supply of electricity from the substations in the area. He urged the NEA to work immediately in the areas without electrification.
Energy Secretary Devendra Karki said that such problems have been resolved now as many complaints have been received from Sarlahi. Stating that there is no need to irrigate by stealing electricity as the government has reduced the tariff, Karki urged everyone to help in controlling the theft.
NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising said that most of the investment is being made to improve the power supply in Madhesh Pradesh. He clarified that there would be no shortage of budget for electrification and pledged to provide electricity to all. He urged all to help in controlling the leakage as electricity leakage is high in Madhesh Pradesh.
Chief of Lalbandi Municipality Man Bahadur Khadka said that the area has been freed from the problem of low voltage and tripping after the Nawalpur substation came into operation.
Reliable and technical leakage of power supply in Sarlahi has decreased since the power supply was started in the substation. Earlier, electricity was being supplied through 33 KV line from Dhalkebar and Chandranigahapur substations in Sarlahi. As the 33 kV line was very long, there was technical leakage and power supply was also being disrupted. After the supply of electricity directly from Nawalpur substation, the leakage decreases when the line is shortened and the power supply has become reliable and quality. Adequate electricity will be provided to the industries opening in Sarlahi.
The East-West 132 KV transmission line has loop in and out of Nawalpur substation. Electricity supply has been provided to Nawalpur substation from the same 132 KV line. The substation has two transformers of 132 ÷ 33 KV, 63 MVA and 33 ÷ 11 KV, 16 MVA capacity. Power supply has been provided to Haripur and Malangwa 33-11 KV distribution substations of Sarlahi through this substation.
Preliminary work of the substation was started in FY 2074/75 and main construction in FY 2075/76. The construction was delayed due to the inability to bring equipment due to the epidemic of Kovid-19. The contract for the construction of the substation was awarded to Power Tech, a joint venture between India and Waiba Infratech, Nepal (JV).
At the program, testimonials were given to the employees of the substation project and the contractor company.
