Solu Corridor Transmission Line in operation

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Kathmandu, 14 February 2022, The Solu Corridor 132 KV double circuit transmission line, which was constructed to supply electricity generated from the hydropower projects in the Solu khola corridor to the national system, has come into operation.

The transmission line, which was completed with the investment of the Government of Nepal and a concessional loan from the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM), was brought into operation by charging at 11.30 am on Monday. The length of the transmission line from Mirchaiya of Siraha to Udaipur, Okhaldhunga and Tinla of Dudhkund Municipality of Solukhumbu is 90 kilometers and the number of towers is 302.
Under the Solu Corridor Transmission Line Project, substations of 132 ÷ 33 KV, 30 MVA and 33 ÷ 11 KV, 8 MVA capacity have been constructed in Tinla. The substation has been completed and is operational from 7 September 2076. Electricity will be supplied to Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga and Khotang from Tinla substation.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising said that there was some delay in the construction of the project due to dispute over selection of contractor, interim order of the Supreme Court, obstruction from locals demanding change of route and complicated geographical conditions.
“Infrastructure has been prepared for the flow of electricity to the private sector hydropower projects in the Solu River Basin.

“Once the project’s electricity flows into the Solu Corridor, it can be diverted from Mirchaiya to Saptari, Sunsari, Morang and other districts to supply from our own products. It will also be easier to export surplus electricity from Dhalkebar substation to India.

He mentioned that the electricity service from Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga and Khotang will be reliable and of good quality and leakage will be reduced as electricity will be supplied from Tinla substation.

Electricity of 23.5 MW Solu Khola, 18 MW Upper Solu, 86 MW Solu Khola (Dudhkoshi), 82 MW Lower Solu Khola and other hydropower projects will be connected to Tinla substation. NEA has entered into power purchase agreement (PPA) of 325 MW with 12 hydropower projects in the area after the construction of this transmission line.

The 23.5 MW Solu Khola Hydropower Project was temporarily connected to the 33 KV line from Pohor Phagun after the construction of the Solu Corridor transmission line was delayed.
There was obstruction in Maruwa, Katari Municipality-4 of Udayapur for two years demanding relocation of the transmission line. Project Chief Janardan Gautam said that there were many problems and obstacles in the construction of the Solu Corridor Transmission Line project and other projects should be constructed while learning lessons from it.

A contract agreement was signed with the Indian company Mohan Energy in April 2072 for the construction of the transmission line. The contract agreement was implemented from September 2073 BS.