KATHMANDU, Aug 30: An agreement has been reached to advance the construction of a transmission line for the 102-megawatt Middle Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project, currently under development in Sindhupalchowk, led by Chilime Hydropower Company Limited, an auxiliary company of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
The agreement was reached during a discussion held on Wednesday among key stakeholders, including Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Dipak Khadka, State Minister Purn Bahadur Tamang, federal MP Mohan Bahadur Basnet from Sindhupalchowk Constituency-2, Ministry Secretary Sandeep Kumar Dev, Managing Director of the NEA Kulman Ghising, and Barhabise Municipality Mayor Bal Krishna Basnet, along with the Assistant Chief District Officer, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and project representatives.
Out of the approximately four-kilometer transmission line connecting the power house's switchyard at the project site in Bahundanda Municipality-5 to the NEA's substation in Bahundanda-3, two kilometers of the line had been obstructed by local residents for the past 14 months.
A total of 13 towers were constructed for the 220 kV single-circuit transmission line. Due to the obstruction by locals in Palanti of Bahundanda-3 and -4, the project was unable to string two kilometers of wire. The route of the transmission line in that area affects the land of 124 landowners.
Test transmission of Khimti-Dhalkebar transmission line begins
During the discussion, it was agreed that the project would provide financial assistance to the Bahundanda Municipal Hospital through the municipality as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. It was also agreed to include the affected areas of Bahundanda-3 and -4 in the development and construction support, offer appropriate compensation for land and structures affected by the transmission line route, and promptly begin the remaining construction of the transmission line, according to Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Karki.
Minister Karki stated that an important agreement had been reached to resolve the ongoing obstacles in the construction of the transmission line, which is crucial for integrating the completed Middle Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project into the electricity system. He instructed that all parties diligently implement the agreement and complete the remaining work on the project within one month.
Minister of State for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Tamang said that the construction will begin immediately as per the agreement and stated that the ministry and relevant agencies will conduct regular monitoring of the project.
MP Basnet mentioned that he had taken significant risks in the past to advance the project and added that discussions had led to an agreement to address the legitimate demands raised by the locals.
Managing Director Ghising of the NEA, while noting that the project’s advancement will foster local ownership, urged to complete the remaining work on the transmission line and create an environment for immediate electricity production from the project. He also said that the construction of the 220/132 kV substation for the project’s power flow has been completed.
Once electricity production begins at the Middle Bhotekoshi Hydroelectric Project, the generated power will be used to charge the Bhotekoshi Substation. During testing of the structures and equipment for the project, water leakage occurred in the tunnel, but repairs and improvements have since been completed. The remaining work is progressing with the goal of starting electricity production from the project by mid-October.
NEA’s MD Ghising said that a temporary alternative arrangement has been made for the power flow from the Middle Bhotekoshi Project. According to him, electricity received at the Bhotekoshi Substation via the 200 kV transmission line will be stepped down to 132 kV and then distributed through the same substation.
For this purpose, Shiva Shree Hydropower, the promoter company of the 22 MW Upper Chaku 'A' Hydropower Project, is currently constructing a 132 kV transmission line to connect to the Bhotekoshi Substation. According to MD Ghising, the electricity from the Middle Bhotekoshi project will be integrated into the national grid through the Lamosanghu Substation using this transmission line.
