Construction of 220kv Chilime-Trishuli transmission line concludes

Last week, Nepal completed the construction of the Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line, a vital project for transmitting electricity from hydropower plants on the Trishuli River and its tributaries to the national grid. This marks a significant advancement in the country’s energy infrastructure.

The newly built 28 km transmission line stretches from the Chilime Hub Substation in Thambuchet (Rasuwa) to the Trishuli Hub Substation in Pahrebensi, (Nuwakot). As part of the 220 kV transmission project, both the Chilime Hub and Trishuli 'Three B' hub, both (220/132 kV) substations have also been completed. 

A total of 76 transmission towers (also known as pylons) were built to link the 28 km long transmission line, which can transmit about 1,200 MW of electricity. 

It will now facilitate the evacuation of power generated by hydropower projects in the Upper Trishuli Valley, including the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi and 42.5 MW Sanjen hydroelectric plants, both presently in operation and developed under Chilime Jalvidyut, a subsidiary of the NEA, as well as many other independent power projects.

One key project that will use the newly built transmission line is the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1, a $647.3 million project considered one of the largest FDI projects in Nepal, currently in the development stage. Other plants include the 60 MW Upper Trishuli 3A and the 36 MW Upper Trishuli 3B projects. 

According to different NEA reports, the transmission line project faced several difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, including design issues, non-performance at the contractor’s end, road inaccessibility and difficult terrain. One of the highlights of the project is that it mobilised drones to string wire across the difficult terrain of the Meilung Crossing over Mailung Khola.

The Chilime-Trishuli transmission line project is co-financed by the Government of Nepal, the NEA, a grant from the German Development Bank (KfW), and concessional loan by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and funding from the European Union under its Asia Investment Facility. A project agreement was signed for 65 million euro in 2016.

Later, a contract agreement was signed with the Chinese company Pinggao Group in November 2017 which became effective in December 2017.

Importantly, the new Chilime-Trishuli transmission line will play a crucial role in grid connectivity with China, a connection that has yet to be established but agreed upon between the two countries.

“The two sides will launch the construction of the Jilong/Keyrung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime 220 KV Cross-Border Power Transmission line at an early date,” said the joint statement between the two countries in Sep 2023.

Nepal is already trading energy with India, importing in the dry season and exporting in the wet season, while also preparing to export to Bangladesh. It has several cross-border transmission lines in operation, including the 400 kV high voltage Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line that allows Nepal and India to trade electricity.