KATHMANDU, AUGUST 22
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said the incumbent government is on the path of creating self-sufficient economy from power generation.
Inaugurating Bharatpur 220/132 kV substation and Hetauda-Bharatpur-Bardaghat 220 kV double circuit transmission line today, Prime Minister Dahal clarified that the government had encouraged private investors in power generation.
He mentioned that priority had been given to power trade by expanding trans-country transmission line. "The agreement signed with the Indian government for power purchase during my recent India visit has proved a positive step."
Stating that the door has now opened for power trade with Bangladesh, the prime minister said discussion would be held regarding possibilities of power trade during his upcoming China visit.
He further clarified that the government had laid emphasis on uplifting the living standard of the people by consuming electricity as much as possible in the country.
PM Dahal pointed out the need to adopt production, transmission and distribution policy in development of power sector, adding power production has increased in the country.
Bharatpur 220/132 kV substation was constructed with the investment of government of Nepal and concessional loan of European Investment Bank while the Hetauda-Bharatpur-Bardaghat 220 kV transmission line was constructed with the investment of Government of Nepal and concessional loan of the World Bank.
The contract for the substation construction project was signed in 2020 and it was completed last month. The total cost of the substation project amounted to Rs 1.52 billion.
The 220 kV transmission line, spanning approximately 147 kilometres, stretches from Hetauda in Makawanpur to Bardaghat in Nawalparasi (East of Susta). The overall cost of the project is Rs 7.94 billion. The project was implemented by dividing it into two sections: Hetauda-Bharatpur and Bharatpur-Bardghat.
One of the circuits within the double-circuit transmission line that extends from the old Hetauda substation at Chaukitole in Hetauda sub-metropolis, Makwanpur, to the new Bharatpur substation in Chitwan, has been charged at 132 kV. Initially, it has been operated in a partial capacity.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 23, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
