Final stage reached: 220 KV substation in Bahrabise Municipality nears completion

KATHMANDU: The construction of a vital infrastructure project, the 220 KV substation in Bahrabise Municipality, Sindhupalchok, has entered its final phase, with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) reporting significant progress. The NEA confirms that the final phase of construction is in full swing, targeting completion within the next two months.

With overall progress reaching an impressive 95 percent, the substation is poised to bolster the region’s electricity infrastructure significantly. Additionally, another 400 KV substation is concurrently under construction in Bahrabise, underscoring efforts to enhance power distribution capabilities in the area.

Of particular importance is the connection of electricity from the 102-megawatt Mid-Bhotekoshi Hydroelectric Project (MBKHEP) to the Bahrabise substation.

This project, spearheaded by the Chilime Hydropower Company Limited, a subsidiary of NEA, aims to leverage the region’s hydroelectric potential to bolster energy production.

However, the progress of connecting MBKHEP-generated electricity to the national transmission line has faced obstacles, notably due to protests led by residents of Palanti in Bahrabise Municipality-3 and 4. These protests have underscored the urgency for the timely completion of the Bahrabise substation to ensure the efficient utilization of electricity generated by the project.

In response to these challenges, NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising, after a site visit on Saturday, directed the contractor to expedite construction by deploying additional manpower.

The NEA is under mounting pressure to ensure the timely completion of the substation to avoid wastage of electricity produced by the MBKHEP.

The construction timeline has faced setbacks due to various factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic and reported performance issues with the joint venture of Guangxi Transmission and Substation Construction Co. and Shenzen Clou Electronics Co. Ltd, which was entrusted with the construction of twelve substations.

Despite these challenges, the imminent completion of the 220 KV substation in Bahrabise marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s efforts to strengthen its energy infrastructure, paving the way for improved electricity distribution and socio-economic development in the region.