A high-level team of the European Union has conducted an on-site inspection of the under construction Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line project.

The team led by Peteris Ustubs, Director for Asia, European Union, visited the projects under construction in Nuwakot and Rasuwa on Monday.

Under the project, 220/132/33 kV Chilime Hub and Trishuli 3B Hub substations are under construction at Thambuchet in Amachodingmo Rural Municipality of Rasuwa and Pahrebensi of Kispang Rural Municipality of Nuwakot.

Also, a 28km 220 kV transmission line is being constructed from Chilime hub to Trishuli 3B hub substation.

The estimated cost of the project is 30.9 million US dollars, there is investment from the government and the Nepal Electricity Authority and a grant from the German Development Bank (KFW).

The project of the European Investment Bank (EIB), established by the European Union, has concessional loans.

The high-level team of the EU inspected Trishuli 3B hub substation and transmission line under construction at Dandagaun located in Uttargaya Rural Municipality-2 of Rasuwa, according to the NEA.

The team discussed various issues, including the project's progress, problems and construction completion date with representatives of Nepal Electricity Authority, project management, consultants and contractors involved in the construction.

The team leader Peteris Ustubs mentioned that the construction of the project has picked up pace recently and the progress so far is satisfactory, said Kul Man Ghising, managing director of the NEA, who went on site inspection with the team.

The construction work of the project had been affected due to COVID-19 pandemic, geographically difficult mountainous area and poor performance of the contractors and consultant.

"In the past, they expressed concern about the delay in the construction, but during the inspection visit, the team expressed their happiness and appreciated the fact that the work has gained momentum and made significant progress and the project is being carried out in a geographically very dangerous and difficult Himalayan region,” said Ghising.

The European Union is trying to invest heavily in the production, transmission and distribution of hydropower in Nepal through EIB, he said.

It has expressed its desire to invest in the 635 megawatt Dudhkoshi Reservoir project through co-financing by international financial institutions.

In addition to the Chilime-Trishuli transmission line, the EIB has provided concessional loans for the 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project, the Marsyangdi Corridor 220 kV transmission line and the electrification of the districts of Sudurpaschim and Lumbini provinces.

The KFW has provided grants for electrification and distribution system strengthening and solar energy in Nuwakot and Rasuwa.

The Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line has been constructed to connect electricity generated hydropower projects under construction and to be built on the Trishuli river and its tributaries to the national grid.

The overall physical progress of the project is 81 per cent.

Among them, the construction progress of transmission line and substation is 71 and 70 per cent respectively.

The construction of transmission lines and substations is being forwarded at full speed with the aim of completing it within March this year.

Managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, Kul Man Ghising with a high-level team of the European Union during on-site inspection of the under construction Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line project.