Government grants approval for construction of three transmission lines

KATHMANDU: The government has granted approval for the construction of three transmission lines so far in the current fiscal year.

According to the Department of Electricity Development under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, construction approval has been issued for the Nalgad–Maintada transmission line, which is considered crucial for connecting electricity generated in the Bheri Corridor to the national grid. The 75-kilometer-long transmission line will have a total capacity of 400 kV, capable of transmitting 2,400 megawatts of electricity. The National Transmission Grid Company is undertaking the project.

Similarly, permission has also been granted for the construction of the 33 kV Khorunga Khola transmission line, which will span 4.38 kilometers and transmit 4.8 megawatts of electricity produced by the Khorunga Khola Hydropower Project.

In addition, Super Sardi Khola Hydropower has received approval to construct a 33 kV, 3.68-kilometer transmission line to connect its 2.9-megawatt output to the national grid.

So far, the Department has issued construction permits for a total of 274 transmission lines of various capacities across the country.

In the current fiscal year, survey licenses have been granted for eight transmission line projects, including the 132 kV Mid-Chamelia Transmission Line. Other approved projects include the Beldiya Solar Power Project, Phaleku Khola 132 kV Transmission Line, Janaki Solar Power Transmission Line, Dudh Koshi Fifth 220 kV Transmission Line, and Samundratar–Lapsiphedi 232 kV Transmission Line.

Likewise, survey permissions have also been granted for the Dadakheti–Burtibang 132 kV and Sani Bheri 132 kV transmission line projects.

In total, the Department has provided 144 survey licenses for transmission line construction. Currently, 21 applications are under consideration for survey permits, with 11 projects having applied during the ongoing fiscal year alone.