In just the past week, there have been fires at the Nepal Electricity Authority’s Matatirtha Substation and Dhalkebar Substation. During underground line testing, a fault occurred in the Matatirtha Substation and its transmission line, causing the current transformer (CT) installed at the substation to explode, which in turn created problems in the 132/33/11 kV section of the Dhalkebar Substation. The Authority stated that due to pre-monsoon conditions and strong winds, faults in the transmission lines have been causing these fires.

Due to a fault in the transmission line, the current transformer installed at the substation exploded, resulting in power supply issues on Wednesday in areas including Janakpurdham, Yadukuwa, Dhanushadham, Sakhuwan, Jaleshwar and Gaushala of Mahottari, Bardibas, and Bhiman of Sindhuli. However, electricity was restored in most areas on the same day through alternative arrangements.

A team led by Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya visited the fire-affected Dhalkebar Substation on Thursday to study and inspect the situation. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority, the team visited the substation to assess the sudden technical problem, evaluate the existing load (demand and supply) in the area, and to find a long-term solution to these issues. The Authority also stated that for years, transmission and distribution infrastructure under its operation have been running in a makeshift (temporary) maintenance condition.

The Nepal Electricity Authority stated that the study will be conducted with the plan to move forward by maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, installing new connections, and ensuring that such accidents do not occur in the future, with the goal of providing sustainable and reliable electricity supply. Dhalkebar is the largest substation in the country. It houses separate substations ranging from 400 kV to 11 kV (400/220/132/33/11 kV). Vinod Lohani, Chief of the Dhalkebar Grid Division, informed that the issue on Wednesday occurred only in the 132/33/11 kV section of the substation.

During the inspection, Managing Director Shakya instructed that future work should be carried out with heightened caution to prevent the recurrence of such technical issues. He also directed that an action plan be implemented to ensure arrangements for ‘backup supply’ at highly sensitive substations.

On September 3, 2024, issues had also arisen with two 63 MVA capacity power transformers installed at the substation. At the time, around 90 MVA of electric load was being supplied from the two transformers, but for about three weeks, a load of approximately 30 MVA had to be cut. During that period, to maintain regular supply to the affected areas, electricity was imported from India through a 33 kV transmission line from Sursand. Nepal has been importing electricity based on demand during winter and exporting surplus electricity during the monsoon through the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line.

On April 13, a fire broke out in the breaker panel used to control power supply on the 11 kV feeder line under the Nepal Electricity Authority’s Matatirtha Substation, causing a power outage. Since the fire occurred during the testing of the underground line, the Authority stated that the full responsibility lies with the construction contractor. Shakya explained that the fire started due to a spark that occurred while operating the switch on the breaker panel.

The Nepal Electricity Authority has formed a three-member investigation committee to study the fire incident at the Matatirtha Substation. Shakya stated that the committee will submit its report by the upcoming Wednesday, which will reveal the actual facts of the incident.

Source: Kantipur