Nepal’s first private-sector 220 kV transmission line goes into operation

KATHMANDU, June 30: Private sector has installed 220 kV Markichok-Bharatpur transmission line under the Marsyangdi Corridor, marking construction of the electricity supply infrastructure for the first time in the country.

Nepali private sector has constructed a 28-kilometer section of the infrastructure, which the government had failed to complete for about 7 years, in just 19 months. After the project was stalled for a long time, the private sector hydropower promoters have taken the responsibility of construction and completed the work themselves. This is seen as a new achievement of the private sector in the development of Nepal's energy infrastructure and a successful and exemplary project of public-private partnership.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had initially in November 2017 handed over the project construction to the Chinese company Pingao Group. However, even after 7 years, the company had completed the foundation construction of only 35 towers out of 84, while erecting only 10 towers in total. Citing the slow construction pace, the NEA handed over the responsibility to Nepali private entrepreneurs on November 20, 2024.

Seven hydropower projects operated by the private sector in the Marsyangdi Corridor jointly decided on to construct the transmission line. Implementing the decision, the hydropower companies gave a contract of the construction to Viva Construction and Engineering Concern and Bhugol Infrastructure Company with an investment of about Rs 49.69 million.

A committee was formed under the leadership of Uttam Blon Lama, the then Vice President and current Senior Vice President of Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) and Director of Dordikhola Hydropower Company, to facilitate and coordinate the construction of the transmission line. The committee included Arjun Gautam, Project Director of People's Hydro, and Mohan Bikram Karki, Chairman of Ashutosh Energy Limited. The committee succeeded in resolving related problems encountered by the transmission line and completed the project on time.

After the private sector took over the responsibility, the construction work gained momentum. So far, the foundation construction of all 84 towers of the transmission line project has been completed. Similarly, the installation of 78 towers has been done. The transmission line project, which had zero progress until last year, is now fully completed and operational.

The projects including 54 MW Super Dordi, 12 MW Dordi Khola-1, 27 MW Dordi Khola, 30 MW Nyadi, 8.60 MW Chepe Khola and 9.05 MW Super Chepe Khola promoted by the private sectors have invested in this transmission line.

The chairman of the committee Lama said private sector investors, who were facing financial problems due to lack of transmission infrastructure due to wastage of electricity, have created a new history by completing this project within one and a half years of taking over the responsibility.

Meanwhile, the NEA has also confirmed that the construction of the Markichok-Bharatpur section under the Marsyangdi Corridor 220 kV Transmission Line Project has been completed. “The transmission line, which was built with the loan assistance of the European Investment Bank and a joint investment of the Government of Nepal and the NEA, has been completed,” states the NEA.

The 28-kilometer long transmission line is 220 kV double circuit infrastructures. It connects the New Marsyangdi Substation at Markichok in Aanbukhairani, Tanahun to the New Bharatpur Substation in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-Aaptari, Chitwan. According to the NEA, testing of the infrastructure has begun from Tuesday and the line will come to regular operation after the test is successful.

This transmission line is considered important to connect the electricity generated from the private sector hydropower projects built and under construction on the Marsyangdi, Dordi and Trishuli rivers and their tributaries to the national grid system. Electricity that was at risk of being wasted due to lack of transmission infrastructure can now be used for consumption and trade through the national grid.