24th March 2025, Kathmandu
To ensure a reliable and high-quality electricity supply for the industrial corridor and general consumers in Bara and Parsa districts, three high-capacity substations are nearing completion.
Birgunj Substations High-Capacity Power
The construction of three 132 kV substations in Amlekhganj and Prasauni of Bara, and Birgunj of Parsa, is in its final phase. Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Kulman Ghising recently conducted an on-site inspection and directed project management and contractors to expedite the completion process.
Highlighting the importance of these substations and transmission lines for managing electricity demand and supply in Birgunj and facilitating power trade with India, Ghising urged all stakeholders to complete the work within the scheduled timeframe with sensitivity and accountability.
The Amlekhganj 132/66 kV substation, crucial for resolving power supply issues in the Pathlaiya-Simara-Birgunj industrial corridor, is nearly ready. Most major equipment has been installed, and final-stage work is underway to make it operational by mid-June 2025. One circuit of the East-West 132 kV double-circuit transmission line has been looped in and out at this substation, along with both circuits of the 66 kV line from Hetauda to Simara-Birgunj industrial corridor.
Due to the long length and low capacity of the existing 66 kV line from Hetauda, voltage issues persist in the Simara-Birgunj industrial corridor. However, with the commissioning of the Amlekhganj substation, the power supply will improve significantly, as it will source electricity directly from the 132 kV transmission line. The substation will house 132/66 kV 200 MVA and 66/11 kV 20 MVA power transformers, with six 11 kV feeders for local electricity distribution.
Additionally, a 2.8-km underground 132 kV transmission line is under construction to connect the Prasauni and Birgunj substations, set for completion within a month. Equipment installation and remaining civil works are also progressing.
The Raxaul-Parwanipur 132 kV transmission line between India and Nepal will be looped in and out at Prasauni substation, ensuring efficient power distribution to the Birgunj substation via an underground transmission line. The existing 66/33/11 kV Birgunj substation is being upgraded to 132 kV.
Upon completion, the Birgunj region will have both 132 kV and 66 kV power sources, significantly enhancing reliability and quality. Currently, the power supply to the Kalaiya area of Bara is managed from the Birgunj substation, but it will be redirected from the Prasauni substation after its completion, reducing the load on the Birgunj substation. The Prasauni substation will include five 33 kV and five 11 kV feeders for local electricity distribution.
To support existing and upcoming industries in the Bara-Parsa industrial corridor, including Simara, Nijgadh, Birgunj, Parwanipur, Pokhariya, and Prasauni, NEA is systematically developing high-capacity transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Industries in Birgunj will have direct access to electricity from the 132 kV transmission line. Additionally, a 132 kV transmission line from Parwanipur to Pokhariya and the Pokhariya substation is under development to meet the region’s growing industrial electricity demand.
Under the Hetauda-Dhalkebar-Inaruwa 400 kV transmission line project, a 400 kV substation is being constructed in Nijgadh, Bara. The line will extend to Pokhariya via Ramouli, covering a total length of 65 km. Three 400 kV substations will be built in Nijgadh, Ramouli, and Pokhariya. The transmission line survey has been completed, and the initial environmental impact assessment is in the approval process. Land acquisition and compensation determination for the Ramouli substation have been finalized.
The Nijgadh substation will be built with concessional financing from India’s Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, while the 38 km Nijgadh-Ramouli transmission line and Ramouli substation will be financed through concessional loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
To meet the power needs of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Simara, Dumbarwana, and surrounding areas, the Aurahi-Simara 132 kV transmission line project is also progressing.
These strategic infrastructure developments aim to strengthen Nepal’s electricity distribution system, ensuring a stable power supply for industrial and commercial growth in the region.
For more: Birgunj Substations High-Capacity Power