The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) plans to further expand and strengthen the country’s transmission and distribution system to make the country’s electricity supply smooth and reliable, increase domestic consumption, and promote the export of surplus power to Bangladesh and India.

A high-level team from NEA, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Kulman Ghising, carried out onsite inspections to examine the potential of constructing an inland power transmission line between Nepal and West Bengal, India, and other feasible locations for transmission lines and substations. West Bengal is the shortest route for power export to Bangladesh.

The team also conducted an onsite study about the electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari, as well as the progress of construction of substations in these areas. They requested that the substations be completed as soon as possible as they will contribute to reliable power supply.

NEA Managing Director noted that Siliguri, West Bengal, and Purnia, Kishanganj, are the areas in closer proximity to India and Bangladesh for electricity export. He shared that it is necessary to expand the transmission network by constructing a 400 kV transmission line from the 400 kV Inaruwa substation around the Postal Highway and construct a 400 kV substation in the Anarmani area of Jhapa.

The team also visited the 400/220 kV Siliguri Substation of Power Grid India in West Bengal, which is linked to Bhutan's Tala hydroelectric project.

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NEA expanding electrical infrastructure