NEA building 8 high-capacity substations in Valley

By Laxman Kafle,Kathmandu, May 9: Nepal Electricity Authority is constructing 8 high-capacity substations to improve the power transmission and distribution system of the Kathmandu Valley. The 400, 200 and 132 kV substations are under construction in the Capital Valley.

In order to address the potential demand for electricity that may increase in the future, the Authority has forwarded the process of construction of transmission and distribution infrastructure in major areas of Kathmandu Valley in a phased manner setting a deadline of 2050.

By the year 2050, the highest demand for electricity in Kathmandu Valley is projected to reach 3,100 megawatts. Land acquisition process for construction of substation has been started, according to the NEA.

A survey is being conducted to construct a 220 kV ring around the outer perimeter of Kathmandu Valley with 220 kV transmission structure. Substations are under construction at Lapsiphedi, Mathatirtha, Chobhar, Phutung, Teku, Mulpani in Kathmandu and Thimi and Changunarayan in Bhaktapur.

The substations in Teku and Changunarayan are in the final stage of construction. Both substations are being constructed to be brought into operation by June, 2023. Managing director of NEA Kul Man Ghising said that the substation projects under construction are being completed as soon as possible to meet the increasing demand for electricity in the Kathmandu Valley and to make the supply reliable and qualitative.

Visiting the under-construction substations of Teku, Phutung and Changunarayan, he directed the project managers and contractors to complete the construction within the stipulated time. 

"The demand for electricity in the Kathmandu Valley did not increase so much in the winter of this year, due to which the management of electricity supply became easier. 

  See Page 6

Considering the winter of next year, the construction of the substations should be completed before that," said Ghising. "After the construction of Teku and Phutung substations, the management of electricity demand and supply in Kathmandu will be eased."

The 132/11 kV substation is being strengthened at the existing 66/11 kV Teku substation and a new 132/11 kV substation is being constructed at Phutung.

Two power transformers of 45 MVA capacity each will be placed in both substations.

The Balaju-Chapali 132 kV double-circuit transmission line will be 'tapping' at Phutung substation and power will be supplied to that area.

A total of nine new feeders will be taken out from Teku substation for local power supply, which will facilitate the power supply in the central part of Kathmandu, said the NEA.

Improvement of transmission and distribution system has been forwarded with the investment of the government and Authority, concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The process of construction of 132/11 kV substation in Chobhar, Kathmandu has been forwarded after the construction of Thankot-Chapagaun-Bhaktapur 132 kV transmission line, which is considered important for improving the electricity supply of Kathmandu Valley, was interrupted in Khokana, Bungmati, Harisiddhi and Lamatar areas of Lalitpur.

There will be two power transformers of 45 MVA capacity in the substation. The process to acquire 12 ropanis land required for the construction of a substation on Himal Cement land near the dry port is in progress.

The 132 kV transmission line has been built from Mathatirtha to Chobhar.

A substation will be built in Chobhar and a 132 kV underground cable will be laid through the Ring Road and taken to Lagankhel substation in Lalitpur.

The Lagankhel substation is being strengthened and made 132 kV, said the NEA.

The construction of 400 and 220 /132/ 11 kV substations in Lapsiphedi could not be started due to local obstructions.

The Lapsiphedi substation is going to be constructed to supply the electricity of the hydroelectric projects constructed in the Tamakoshi and Sunkoshi River in the Kathmandu Valley.

There is an obstacle in the construction of about 10-km transmission line from Lapsiphedi to Changunarayan substation.