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The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) report required for the construction of the transmission line for the Upper Junbesi Khola Hydropower Project in Solukhumbu has been made public.

In a public notice issued today, the Department of Electricity Development (DoED) stated that an 8.47-kilometre 33 kV double-circuit transmission line will be constructed from the switchyard of the under-construction 5.575 MW Upper Junbesi Khola Hydropower Project in Solududhkunda Municipality-2, Solukhumbu, to the switchyard of the under-construction Lower Dudhkunda Khola Hydropower Project in Ward No. 3. In addition, a 4.71-kilometre 132 kV single-circuit transmission line will be built from there to the Junbesi Hub Pooling Station.

According to the department, the IEE report was prepared after the project developer, Gorkhaj Himalayan Hydro Limited, applied for permission to construct the transmission line in accordance with the Electricity Regulations, 1993.

The department stated that if the project’s construction and operation are found likely to cause significant adverse environmental impacts, concerned individuals, local residents, or institutions may submit written comments or suggestions within 35 days from the date of publication of the notice.

The proposed transmission line will have a total length of 13.18 kilometres. The plan includes the installation of 209 steel tubular poles for the 33 kV transmission line and two towers for the 132 kV transmission line.

The project will require approximately 0.5 hectares of land permanently and about 0.53 hectares temporarily. Around 9.66 hectares of land will fall within the transmission line’s right of way.

According to the department, the minimum right-of-way width will be 6.62 metres for the 33 kV transmission line and 18 metres for the 132 kV transmission line. The department added that the project will be implemented in compliance with the Electricity Act, 1992 and prevailing environmental standards, with measures to mitigate potential impacts such as soil erosion, flooding, dust, and air pollution during the construction and operation of the transmission line.

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