The 33/11 kV Kisantari substation in Malika Rural Municipality-8 of Gulmi has officially begun operations. This substation, with a capacity of 3 MVA, has become operational nine years after the construction agreement was signed by the Planning and Technical Services Department of the Electricity Authority.

Built at a cost of Rs. 105 million by MSA2Jet Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. in 2016, the substation, along with its housing, is expected to improve the electricity supply in the area. Prior to this, there was only one electricity substation in the western part of Gulmi, which served the region through four 11 kV feeders. However, due to the long distances over which electricity was supplied, voltage levels would drop at the endpoint, and if one feeder encountered an issue, power outages would affect the entire area.

Bharat Pokharel, an engineer at the Nepal Electricity Authority's Gulmi Distribution Centre, explained that the new substation was constructed to ensure a higher quality of electricity service. By organising the 33 kV transmission line, the substation will reduce transmission losses, ensuring a more reliable and consistent electricity supply. This will also enhance electrical safety, he added.

In addition to the new Kisantari substation, the district is served by substations in Ridi and Birbas to the east. The district also benefits from locally produced electricity from the 5 MW Upper Hungdi and 2.4 MW Ridi Hydropower Plant. Furthermore, electricity is transmitted to the Birbas substation from Butwal and Arghakhanchi. Engineer Pokharel noted that service is currently being provided from the 132 kV Unayachaur electricity substation.

With the commissioning of the Kisantari Substation, residents of Malika, Madane, and Dhurkot rural municipalities are expected to benefit directly from improved electricity supply. Kamala Poudel of Malika Rural Municipality-8, Marbhung, expressed her happiness at the long-awaited development, hopeful that the commissioning of the substation would lead to regular, high-quality electricity service. However, issues with the regular supply of electricity still persist in the ISMA and Musikot areas. The Electricity Authority’s Distribution Centre in Gulmi is optimistic that these problems will be resolved within next two to three months, as the construction of a 132 kV electricity substation is currently underway in Paudi Arewa.

By Toplal Aryal