Construction work of 400 kV Lapsiphedi substation in full swing

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 21: The construction of 400 kV Lapsiphedi substation is moving ahead in full swing in Shankharapur Municipality-3, Kathmandu.

To bring electricity from the hydroelectric projects built and to be built on the Tamakoshi and Sunkoshi rivers and their tributaries to the Kathmandu Valley and supply it locally, the Lapsiphedi substation of 400/220 kV, 220/132 kV and 132/11 kV based on ‘Gas Insulated Substation (GIS)’ technology is under construction. 

The construction of the substation is being carried out with the target of completing it by December 2025, according to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

Despite the disturbance of locals, the construction of the substation, which started about a year ago, is currently moving at a fast pace, it said.

The Lapsiphedi substation, which is under construction on about 172 ropanis of land, is the largest hub for electricity supply in the Kathmandu Valley.

Some locals have been obstructing the construction of the substation for a long time, demanding that the substation should not be built in a human settlement and that it should be moved to another place. 

The substation is being constructed by addressing the genuine demands raised by the locals, said the NEA.

About 40 per cent of the construction of the civil structures, including the control room and GIS equipment building of the 400/220 kV Lapsiphedi substation under the Khimti-Bahrabise-Lapsiphedi substation project has been completed. The supply of 80 per cent of the required equipment, including power transformers, GIS, control panels and so on to the substation has been completed. 

The Khimti and Bahrabise substations under the project are also under construction.

Similarly, around 50 per cent construction of civil structures of the 220/132 kV and 132/11 kV substations under the Tamakoshi-Kathmandu Transmission Line Project has been completed.

Managing Director of NEA Kul Man Ghising inspected the substation construction site on Wednesday and directed the project management and contractors to increase manpower and complete the work within the specified time.

"Due to problems created by locals, there was some delay in the construction of the substation, but the construction progress so far is satisfactory," he said. 

"We are addressing and will continue to address the legitimate demands of the locals in road repair and expansion, drinking water project, school building, playground construction, employment for locals under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) during the construction of the project."

He directed the project management to prioritise and move forward the programmes under CSR as per the commitment to the locals.