Myagdi: A 220 kV switchyard constructed at Tilkenichaur in Raghuganga Rural Municipality–3, Myagdi, has come into operation. With the commissioning of the switchyard, 127.8 MW of electricity generated by four hydropower projects under the Rahughat Corridor has been integrated into Nepal’s national transmission system.
The switchyard, built under the 40 MW Rahughat Hydropower Project being developed by Raghuganga Hydropower Limited, is serving as the connection point for hydropower projects along the Rahughat Corridor to evacuate power into the national grid.
Project Chief Raj Bahadur Bista said the switchyard was connected to the national transmission system on Monday after successful testing of all installed equipment. According to him, the infrastructure is now ready to connect electricity generated by the Rahughat Corridor projects, as well as the Rahughat Hydropower Project itself, to the 220 kV Kaligandaki Corridor Transmission Line through a Loop-In Loop-Out (LILO) arrangement.
According to Rabin Kattel, Chief of the Civil Division of the project, the switchyard has been constructed using AIS (Air Insulated Switchyard) technology. The hydromechanical contractor, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), completed the switchyard construction, while all four required transmission towers have also been completed.
Electricity generated by the following hydropower projects is currently being evacuated to the national grid through the switchyard:
- 35.5 MW Chimkhola–Mangle–Rahughat Hydropower Project
- 48.5 MW Upper Rahughat Hydropower Project
- 21.3 MW Thulokhola Hydropower Project
- 22.5 MW Upper Thulokhola Hydropower Project
The 40 MW Rahughat Hydropower Project, which is in the final stage of construction, will also be connected to the national transmission system through the same switchyard and transmission line.
Ganesh KC, Managing Director of Raghuganga Hydropower, said that construction of key project structures—including the tunnel, dam, powerhouse, and equipment installation—has reached its final phase, and preparations are underway for trial power generation.
Indian construction company JP Associates was awarded the project contract on November 17, 2017, with an estimated cost of around NPR 6 billion. Originally scheduled for completion within 45 months, the project faced multiple delays due to various challenges, resulting in several deadline extensions. According to KC, construction is progressing with the goal of completing the project within the fourth extended deadline.
Jalasarokar
