The concerned authorities have inaugurated two power distribution substations, each of 33/11 kV capacity, in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts. The substations were constructed under the Nepal-Germany Economic Support Programme.

One substation has been constructed at Ratmate of Belkotgadhi Municipality in Nuwakot district while the other at Kalikashan, Kalika Rural Municipality of Rasuwa district with the grant provided by the German government through KfW Development Bank.

Nepal Electricity Authority’s (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising and KfW's director for Regional Office for Nepal and Bangladesh, Michael Sumser-Hellstern jointly inaugurated the Ratmate substation. Similarly, Ghising and KfW South Asia Deputy Director, Christoph Kessler jointly inaugurated the Kalikasthan-based substation.

The German government had, through the KfW Development Bank, provided grant assistance of 5 million Euros (approximately Rs 700 million) for the reconstruction, expansion and strengthening of the power distribution system network in Nuwakot and Rasuwa following the devastating earthquake of April 2015.

Two distribution substations, 33kV, 11kV and LT line have been constructed with this grant support. More than 1,200 households in the two districts will have reliable power supply to their homes with this.

On the occasion, NEA Managing-Director Ghising said KfW has provided much support in the development of projects related to hydropower, transmission line and distribution system in Nepal. He added that the consumers in these areas will now get reliable and quality power supply with the construction of these two substations.

He expressed hopes that improved power supply in the region will encourage opening of cottage industries.

KfW's Sumser-Hellstern and Kessler said that Nepal and Germany have over 60 years' relations and Germany has been providing cooperation for the development of the energy sector in Nepal since 40 years ago. They said this cooperation would now be extended towards electricity transmission and distribution sectors as well.