KATHMANDU: The construction of the first section of Koshi Corridor 220 KV transmission line has concluded. The transmission line is expected to help evacuate around 2,000 MW of electricity produced by hydropower projects based on Arun River and Tamor River basins.

Kulman Ghising, Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), said the newly-constructed Koshi Corridor will support the base infrastructure for hydropower projects in the area. The transmission line will be temporarily charged at 33 KV from Tuesday.

According to Ghising, the transmission line is being recharged on its lower capacity until the construction of a 220 KV substation to be built in Inaruwa is completed. “With the work in progress, the transmission line will be supplying electricity to Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha and Tehrathum districts,” he said.

The 106-km long 220 KV double-circuit Koshi Corridor transmission line stretches between Inaruwa of Sunsari and Tumlingtar of Sankhuwasabha district. In the absence of an upgraded transmission line, many hydropower projects based in Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha and Tehrathum districts have not been able to operate in their full capacity so far.

Till the completion of the first phase, the project has constructed 326 towers and three substations. For this purpose, an estimated US $ 37.50 million has been invested.

In the second phase of the construction, additional substations with 220 KV capacities will be constructed in four locations that include Inaruwa, Basantapur, Baneshwor and Tumlingtar. An investment of US $ 25.30 million has been earmarked for the purpose.

The project has already awarded a contract for the third phase construction, which is expected to complete by mid-February. In this section, a 35-km long transmission line will be stretched via 132 towers located between Basantapur and Dhungesanghu of Taplejung district.

The NEA has already carried out power purchase agreements with 28 hydro projects in the area having 516 MW capacities in total. The electricity produced by these projects will be connected to the national grid by using Koshi Corridor transmission line.