Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has stepped up efforts to construct 400 kV transmission lines at a time when the state-owned power utility has been facing criticism for unannounced load shedding.

In the past few months, a number of areas across the country have been facing the problem of power outages. The NEA has attributed the power cut to tripping due to poor infrastructure.

The NEA through issuance of public notice has also called for expression of interest from contractors to install transmission lines in four locations.

According to the NEA, it is constructing an 80 km stretch of 400 kV transmission lines along New Khimti-Dhalkebar. Likewise the authority is also constructing a 118 km long 400 kV electricity highway in Tingla-Dudhkoshi-Dhalkebar and a 94 km transmission line with similar capacity in Arun (Hub)-Inaruwa segment. For the Lapsifedi-Teenpiple segment of 30 km stretch, the NEA is installing a 220 kV transmission line.

The estimated cost for the installation of these transmission lines stands at US $320 million.

Source: Republica