Nepal to propose India to build high-capacity transmission line

KATHMANDU, July 29:

Minister for Energy is adding two new agendas, along with the Power Trade Agreement (PTA), for discussion with India during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Energy Minister Gyawali said Nepali will propose India to build cross-border transmission line between Lamki of Nepal and Raebareli of India"s Uttar Pradesh to evacuate power generated by hydropower projects in mid and far-west development regions.

“As projects in the regions having total installed capacity of 4,700 MW have already received survey license, we want to develop high-capacity transmission line with the Indian assistance,” Gyawali said.

The line would be the third cross-border transmission line between Nepal and India after the Dhalkebar Mujaffarpur 400 kV, which is currently under construction, and the Bardaghat Gorakhpur transmission line which is under study.

“Instead of building small transmission lines, we should develop high-capacity transmission lines to evacuate power generated by all the under-construction projects,” she added.

Likewise, the government is proposing India to build Tamor Hydropower Project during Modi"s visit. “We will offer India the mega project if the southern neighbor shows interest to develop it,” Minister Gyawali added.

During bilateral meetings, Indian delegates have expressed interest to develop a mega hydropower project for Nepal.

Critics, however, say India is switching from one project to another instead of showing real intent to implement it.

“The Tamor project will be downsized to 252 MW from 500 MW so that the Kabeli A (37.6 MW), which is under construction, is not affected,” Gyawali added.
Butwal Power Company is developing the Kabeli "A" project.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) holds the survey license for the Tamor project.

Experts, however, say the government should stick to signing PTA with India instead of proposing the southern neighbor to build different projects. They argue that signing of PTA with India would open a large market for Nepal"s hydropower, drawing foreign investments in Nepal"s hydropower sector.

Source: Republica