KATHMANDU, July 22: Rastriya Prasaran Grid Co Ltd (RPGCL) has initiated plans for the construction of the Haitar-Sitalpati (Arun Corridor) transmission line following the successful completion of feasibility and environmental studies.
Having applied for a construction permit (generous license) from the Department of Electricity Development, RPGCL has received positive feedback. As part of the permit process, the Department issued a public notice on Friday, inviting opinions and suggestions from relevant agencies. Any concerns related to potential adverse effects during the construction and operation of the project are requested to be submitted in writing within 35 days. Upon obtaining the necessary license, the company is poised to commence the construction phase.
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The transmission line is set to connect the 400/132 KV Haitar Substation in Makalu Rural Municipality-4 of Sankhuwasabha to the 400/220 KV Sitalpati Substation, which will be established in Khandbari Municipality-10 via Chichila Rural Municipality. The project entails the construction of 300 MVA Haitar and 630 MVA Sitalpati substations, and the transmission line itself will span approximately 35 km. The ambitious goal is to complete the transmission line, consisting of 98 towers, within a two-year timeframe.
Once operational, the transmission line will facilitate the integration of electricity generated from various schemes, including 454 MW Kimathanka Arun, 1061 MW Upper Arun, and 490 MW Arun-4, into the national transmission system. Furthermore, it will enable the connection of electricity from the Barun River project to the national grid. With a capacity to carry up to 2,260 MW of electricity, this transmission line is expected to play a significant role in enhancing the national power distribution network.
The estimated cost of constructing this transmission line stands at approximately nine billion rupees.
