MYAGDI: The 220-kV Chimkhola–Rahughat transmission line, built to evacuate electricity from several hydropower projects in the Rahughat basin of Myagdi district, has entered its test production phase.
The 13-kilometer-long transmission line connects Chimkhola to the switchyard of the Galeshwor-based Rahughat Hydropower Project.
It is designed to channel electricity generated by four major projects — the 35 MW Chimkhola–Mangale Rahughat, 48.5 MW Upper Rahughat, 21.3 MW Thulokhola, and 23.5 MW Upper Thulokhola — into Nepal’s central power system.
Upendra Gautam, a representative of Tundi Power, which is promoting the Chimkhola–Mangale Rahughat and Upper Rahughat projects, said power will be temporarily fed into the central grid through the 220-kV Dana–Khurkot transmission line.
This will be done via the Rahughat switchyard until a new substation under construction at Raghuganga-3 is completed.
Infrastructure work on the Chimkhola–Mangale Rahughat and Thulokhola projects — including dams, penstock pipes, and powerhouse equipment — has already passed inspection. Meanwhile, the construction of the Upper Rahughat and Upper Thulokhola projects is in its final stages.
Once testing concludes successfully, the electricity from all four hydropower projects will be fully connected to the national grid. A total of 39 transmission towers were erected along the Chimkhola–Rahughat route, and the four projects have jointly coordinated to use the single line for energy evacuation.
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