Indian Contractor Starts Work on Dhalkebar Substation

The Telmos Electronic hired by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to complete the Dhalkebar substation has started the work.

The details:

• The NEA signed the Rs. 128 million contract with Telmos Electrons to complete the project within the four months from the date of the agreement. The project is to be completed by the first week of June.
• NEA appointed the Indian contractor after firing the original Chinese contractor for delays. The Chinese company had completed 95 percent of the work.
• The Chinese contractor signed the contract of $14.5 million and Rs. 650 million to complete the project in June 2014. However, due to delays made by the contractor, the deadline was extended three times which led to the firing of the contractor.

Why it matters:

• The substation will allow NEA to import power from India through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission during the dry season.
• Currently, NEA can only import up to 160 MW of electricity, completion of the substation will allow NEA to import additional 100MW from India.
• The substation will help evacuate the power generated by the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project which is on the verge of completion.
• The surplus power produced during the wet season can also be exported to India through the power line.