Nepal’s Minister of Energy recently inaugurated the ceremony to formally mark the initiation of construction of the Chilime-Trishuli transmission system in central Nepal. This project is expected to allow access to energy to 7,200 households in Nepal. The energy generated from hydropower plants and independent power producers on the Trishuli River corridor will be connected to Nepal’s national electricity grid through this project.

The 27-kilometre long transmission line will be built through difficult mountainous terrain 50 kilometres west of Kathmandu by the Nepal Electricity Authority. Financing for the project is being provided  by the European Investment Bank, the European Union through the Asian Investment Facility, German Development Bank KfW and Government of Nepal.

Following is a breakdown of the financing:

“Once complete the new Chilime-Trishuli Transmission link allows thousands of people living in communities in the Trishuli River Basin and beyond to benefit from clean hydropower energy and a more reliable power supply. This crucial energy project is key for sustainable development in Nepal and demonstrates the close partnership between Nepal and European partners.” said Barshaman Pun, Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of Nepal, speaking at the ceremony.

Only about 72 percent of Nepal’s rural population have access to energy, the distribution scheme under the transmission system will aim to enable households in remote rural communities to benefit from first time access to electricity and reduce the need for expensive generators and cooking fuels.

In September, 2018 Mercom reported on the World Bank-supported Nepal-India Electricity Transmission and Trade Project being boosted by the commissioning of the Dhalkebar substation, the first 220 kV substation in Nepal which works as first interconnection between Nepal and India operating at this voltage level.