The largest substation in the country has been completed

Kathmandu. Preparations have been made to bring the country’s largest capacity Dhalkebar substation into full operation. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to inaugurate the substation on Saturday.

According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, 635 MVA transformers have been connected in Dhalkebar, two of 160 MVA and one of 315 MVA. Similarly, the substation with a total capacity of 400/220 KV of three has 315 MVA capacity and 945 MVA capacity power transformers, which can transmit about 900 MW of electricity.

This substation is one of the largest in operation and is also automated with GIS technology. All the tests have been completed by charging the additional power transformer of 315 MVA connected to the substation since Poush 19.

Dhalkaber substation has become a big hub for East-West power supply and electricity trade with India within the country. After the substation was charged, the infrastructure has been prepared for the import and export of about one thousand megawatts of electricity between Nepal and India. In addition, the electricity of 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project will be able to flow smoothly in the national transmission system and the electricity that cannot be consumed in the country will be exported to India.

“A total of 315 MVA transformers have been charged and now in winter, about 100 MW of electricity can be imported from India to meet the electricity demand in the country. Similarly, after the arrival of 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi, the infrastructure has been prepared to export the electricity that could not be consumed internally, ”said Hitendra Dev Shakya, acting executive director of NEA.

According to the NEA Broadcasting Directorate, additional electricity can be imported through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line as per the agreement with the Indian side. Similarly, India has agreed to provide additional 100 MW power from Dhalkebar Muzaffarpur 400 KV transmission line. According to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the ninth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Technical Team has decided to provide additional 100 MW of electricity to Nepal. After the decision, Nepal can bring 400 MW of electricity from the inter-country transmission line.

As the demand for electricity has increased in the current dry season, more electricity is being imported for management. According to NEA, a total of 6,369 MW of electricity is being generated from NEA’s projects at present. Similarly, the project of private energy entrepreneurs is generating 5,375 MW of electricity. Similarly, the electricity being imported from India is 14,458 MW per hour. The total demand is 26,202 hours. Calculated in megawatts, the total demand is 1,464 MW.

NEA and Indian company NTPC Vidyut Nigam Limited (NVVN) have signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line up to 250 MW in July-November, 350 MW in December-April and up to 200 MW in May-June. The PPA is valid till June 30, 2021.

The Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line has been charged at 400 KV. As 400 KV and 220 KV structures have not been prepared for the flow of electricity in Nepal, the electricity coming from India from the 400 KV transmission line is being converted to 132.

The Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa 400 KV transmission line is under construction while the Khimti-Dhalkebar 220 KV transmission line is in operation only at 132 KV. Work is underway to quickly charge Khimti-Dhalkebar in 220 KV double circuit. Electricity of 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project will be supplied to Dhalkebar through this transmission line.

The electricity of the project will be able to flow smoothly in the national transmission system and the electricity that cannot be consumed within the country will be exported to India. The electricity from Upper Tamakoshi to Dhalkebar substation can be sent east and west for internal consumption through a total 220 kV transmission line. In case of excess during the rainy season, Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 KV inter-country transmission line can be exported directly to India. The way will also be opened for energy banking between the two countries. The two countries have agreed in principle to do energy banking. – Rasas