Kathmandu, To ensure safe and reliable transmission of electricity generated in Nepal, increase domestic electricity consumption and expand international electricity trade, 145 transmission line projects are under study. Nepal Electricity Authority, private hydropower companies and National Transmission Grid Company Limited are conducting feasibility and preliminary studies of these projects.

The projects under study range in capacity from 11 kV to 400 kV. These projects are expected to play a significant role in integrating electricity generated from the country’s hydropower plants into the national grid, maintaining voltage stability, eliminating regional imbalances, and ensuring long-term power supply.

The major 400 kV transmission lines under study are Lamahi-Chinchu, Chinchu-Dododhara, West Seti Corridor, West Seti-Dododhara, Mugu-Karnali, Bajhang-Banlek, Dododhara-New Attariya, Humla-Phukot, Dudhkoshi-West Seti, Seti-Sitodhara. There are projects such as Switchyard-West Seti Hub, Nalgad-Wafikot, Nijgadh-Harnaiya, Seti River-6 transmission line, Lower Arun Hydropower Project transmission line, etc.

These transmission lines aim to connect hydropower projects in western, central, and eastern Nepal to the national and international grids. The 400 kV corridor has been prioritized as high-capacity transmission infrastructure is essential for expanding electricity trade, especially with India and Bangladesh, in the long term.

According to Ganesh Karki, president of Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN), the installed capacity in the national grid has reached 3,800 MW so far. Nepal currently has 572 hydropower and solar projects with a total capacity of 8,516 MW, while projects with a capacity of more than 20,000 MW are in various stages of development. The government has set a target of exporting 15,000 MW of electricity to India and Bangladesh in the next 10 years, for which the expansion of transmission lines is required.

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, as thousands of megawatts of electricity generation are expected to be added in the coming years, the plan and study for transmission infrastructure has been initiated now. The government’s strategy is to build infrastructure on time with the aim of ensuring that the electricity generated is not wasted due to a lack of transmission lines.

Preparations have also been made to implement the projects for which studies have been completed in a phased manner, increase private sector participation, and ensure investment with the support of international financial institutions.

According to energy experts, if these transmission projects are completed, Nepal’s electricity system will become more robust, reliable, and competitive in regional energy trade.

urjasanchar