- Seven old grid substations of the Nepal Electricity Authority have come into operation under an automated system.

- The automated system is expected to reduce power outages, make load management easier, and lower operational costs.

- The goal is to automate all grid substations across the country within one and a half years.

Nepal Electricity Authority has brought seven old grid substations into automated operation. The Authority had started a program to automate 13 grid substations to support a long term plan for modern, automated and smart power systems.

The substations in Panauti, Banepa, Patan, Lainchaur, Balaju, Chapali and Bhaktapur now run under an automated system. These substations operate from a new control room built at the Minbhawan central office. The Authority has also completed construction of an additional control room for automated operation and management.

The remaining substations in Syuchatar, Teku, Matatirtha, Chabahil, K3 and Lamasanghu will shift to automation within two months. These automated substations will link with the Syuchatar Load Dispatch Center through SCADA, which will strengthen system integration and stability.

NEA Managing Director Manoj Silwal said automation will reduce outages, improve real time load management, cut operation and maintenance costs, reduce technical losses and support smart grid development. He said automated substations will later operate in an unmanned setup, which removes the need for staff to remain on duty at the site.

The Asian Development Bank financed this automation work under its Transmission and Distribution Efficiency Enhancement Project. The project cost is about 610 million rupees.

Work is ongoing to automate the remaining 64 grid substations across the country with ADB financing. The Authority targets completion within the next 18 months. After that, all grid substations will operate under automated systems.