The construction of the 220kV Chilime-Trishuli transmission line project began on Wednesday, which will help in evacuation of electricity generated from Trishuli river basin.

This is the fourth 220kV transmission line project being developed in Nepal after Khimti-Dhalkebar, Hetauda-Bharatpur and Koshi Corridor projects.

The construction of the crucial transmission line has kicked off at a time when many hydroelectric projects are not being able to transfer electricity from power plants to homes and industries. 

The 27km transmission line is being built with the support of the European Union (EU), German Development Cooperation (KfW), European Investment Bank (EIB) and the government of Nepal at a cost of 65 million euros (approximately Rs7.7 billion as per Wednesday’s exchange rate).

Some of the projects that would immediately benefit from the project are: 216MW Upper Trishuli-1 hydroelectric project, 60MW Upper Trishuli 3A hydroelectric project, 36MW Upper Trishuli 3B hydroelectric project, 14.6MW Upper Sanjen hydroelectric project, 42.5MW Sanjen hydroelectric project, 111MW Rasuwagadhi hydroelectric project, 14.3MW Upper Mailung hydroelectric project, and 5MW Upper Mailung A hydroelectric project.

“Accelerated development in Nepal needs clean energy as a top priority. With a real sense of urgency, collective efforts should transform enormous potential into tangible reality,” EU Ambassador to Nepal Rensje Teerink told a function organised to launch the project in Kathmandu. 

In this context, the construction of the Chilime-Trisuli transmission line “is an important pilot contribution to the national grid”, she said. “The South Asian region as a whole would benefit from the supply of clean energy if regional cooperation projects could be put in place to harness this potential.”

The transmission line project includes construction of the 220/132 kV Trishuli 3B hub-substation; construction of the 220/132 kV Chilime substation; and construction of the Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV double-circuit transmission line, says a joint statement issued by the EU, German Development Cooperation, EIB and the government of Nepal.

The transmission line project will be complemented by construction of the Samundratar-Trishuli 3B hub transmission line and substation, a 270-million-euro project to which the EIB will contribute 95 million euors.

Speaking at the function organised to launch the Chilime-Trishuli transmission line project, Energy Minister Janardan Sharma stressed on the need to expedite the project construction so that Nepali people could reap benefits early.