Nepal’s third largest 400 kV substation completed in Hetauda

KATHMANDU, June 8: The country has achieved a milestone in electrification with the construction of the 400 kV substation, one of Nepal’s largest, in Thana Bharyang of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-11, Makwanpur.

The substation represents a significant step forward in strengthening and expanding the country’s electricity transmission and distribution network. Utilizing Gas Insulated System (GIS) technology, this third-largest substation in Nepal was charged and put into operation on Friday.

Additionally, 220 kV and 132/11 kV substations in Thana Bharyang, which form an integral part of the Nepal-India Transmission and Trade Project, were also charged on the same day, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

The Hetauda substation, along with Dhalkebar and Inaruwa substations, forms a trio of GIS automated substations aimed at enhancing reliable and quality electricity supply across the East-West corridor and facilitating power trade with India. This infrastructure is capable of transmitting about 4,000 MW of electricity.

Upon completion of the Hetauda-Dalkebar-Inaruwa 400 kV transmission line project, it will enable the flow of 4,000 MW of electricity from Dhalkebar across the East-West corridor, thereby bolstering domestic supply and expanding power trade with India, the NEA said. While the Dhalkebar-Inaruwa section is in its final phase, the Hetauda-Dhalkebar section is still under construction.

Despite some delays in construction due to local obstructions in certain areas of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, progress continues in unobstructed areas.

NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising emphasized that the completion of the Hetauda substation will enhance reliable and quality electricity supply to Hetauda, Bharatpur, Simara, and Birgunj. Moreover, it will facilitate the integration of electricity produced from hydropower projects in the central river corridors into the national grid, with surplus power exported to India via the Hetauda-Dhalkebar 400 kV transmission line.

Project Chief Shukra Devkota highlighted that the substation was designed with future expansions in mind. Furthermore, the 400 kV double circuit transmission line from Ratmate, Nuwakot, under the US-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project, will be connected to the Hetauda substation.

Initiated under the National Electricity Development Decade Program, the Hetauda-Dalkebar-Inaruwa 400 kV substation expansion project received joint investment from the government and NEA. All three substations under this project have now been completed.

Despite challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, which impacted the delivery of equipment and technical personnel, the project was completed within the estimated cost of three billion rupees. Financing for the substation construction was provided by government and NEA investments, along with concessional loans from the World Bank under the Nepal-India Transmission and Trade Project.