Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line construction completes

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Nov. 5:The construction of the Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line has been completed.

The transmission line was constructed to connect the electricity generated from the hydroelectric projects under construction and to be built on the Trishuli River and its tributaries, into the national grid.

The construction of 28 km transmission line has been completed from Chilime Hub Substation located in Thambuchet of Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality of Rasuwa to Trishuli 3B Hub Substation located in Pahrebensi of Kispang Rural Municipality of Nuwakot.

Managing Director of NEA Kul Man Ghising said that the construction of the transmission line was completed due to hard work of employees and constructors round the clock even during the public holidays of Dashain and Tihar.

Ghising said that the transmission line infrastructure has been prepared for the electricity of the hydropower projects under construction and to be built in Rasuwa, including the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi and 42.5 MW Sanjen, which were built under the leadership of Chilime Hydropower, a subsidiary of the Authority. 

The Rasuwagadhi and Sanjen hydropower projects have been completed and are in the stage of power generation.

“As it is located in the Himalayan and hilly areas, the construction of the project, which has been in trouble due to the adverse effects of the weather, is a great achievement to complete the construction after continuous efforts,” said Ghising.

“The Chilime-Kerung cross-border transmission line is going to be built for electricity trade with China, the neighbouring country to the north. The Chilime-Trishuli transmission line will connect China,” he said.

As part of the Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line project, the construction of 220/132/33 kV Chilime Hub and Trishuli 3B Hub substation has been completed. 

The electricity flow from the Trishuli 3B Hub substation will be connected into the national system through the Trishuli-Kathmandu 220 kV transmission line to Matatirtha in Kathmandu. 

The electricity generated from the Sanjen and Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects will be connected into the national system through the pair of Chilime-Trishuli transmission lines at the Chilime hub substation.

The electricity generated from the Sanjen and Rasuwagadhi hydropower projects will be integrated into the national system through the Chilime-Trishuli transmission lines at the Chilime hub substation.

A total of 76 towers have been constructed for the 28-km-long transmission line, said the NEA. 

The transmission line has been constructed in an area ranging from 680 to 2600 metre above sea level. A total of 33 towers had to be built in places where there was no access road. A separate access road has been constructed to reach the place.

The estimated cost of the Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line project is of Rs. 3.62 billion. 

The project is funded by the government of Nepal and the Nepal Electricity Authority, with grants from the German Development Bank (KFW). 

The EU’s European Investment Bank (EIB) also provided concession loans for the project.

A contract was signed with the Chinese company Pinggao Group of Companies, China in November 2017 for the construction of transmission lines and substations. 

The contract agreement was implemented in December 2017.