China has proposed to Nepal that the two countries should collaborate in preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for a planned cross-border transmission line.

State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), the Chinese government appointed focal institution for the development of the power line, has asked the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) about working together to prepare the DPR.

The state-owned power utility has requested the Chinese state-owned company to send a written proposal.

“SGCC officials said that they would send the written proposal via the Foreign Ministry within a week,” said Komal Atreya, chief of the monitoring department of the NEA who has been appointed as the focal person to coordinate with the Chinese side. “While the power utility will look after the technical aspects of the project, the Energy Ministry will decide the construction modality.”

As a major part of the planned cross-border transmission line falls within Chinese territory, Nepal has asked SGCC to take the lead while preparing the DPR.

“Only 80 km out of the estimated 800-km length of the transmission line that will extend from Galchhi, Nepal to Shigatse, China lies within Nepali territory,” said Atreya. “Therefore, it is logical that the Chinese side take the lead in developing the project.”

The Nepali portion of the power line will stretch from Galchhi in Dhading district to Rasuwagadhi on the border with China in the north, according to the NEA. The NEA has finalised the alignment of the power line.

According to the NEA, the Chinese side is very keen on executing the project and has prioritized it.

SGCC officials visited Nepal in early 2017 to hold talks with the Energy Ministry and the NEA to build a 400 kV power line linking Rasuwagadhi and Kerung across the northern border.

During the meeting, NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising asked the Chinese delegation to extend the

proposed transmission line further south up to Galchhi so that it could be linked with the Nepal-India cross-border transmission line proposed to be built in Rupandehi district. SGCC officials were positive about Ghising’s proposal.

As the transmission line is necessary to supply electricity to the railway service which China plans to build up to Kathmandu, the northern neighbour is very eager to developing it.

China has already erected a high voltage transmission line up to Shigatse, and if the Nepal government shows adequate commitment, they have agreed to extend it to Kerung within one and a half years, and ultimately connect it with the power line in Nepal, according to the NEA.