Er.energyNP@Gmail.com

The construction of the 132/11 kV Chobhar substation, considered crucial to strengthening the electricity supply system in the Kathmandu Valley, has reached its final stage.

One of the two power transformers installed at the substation, which is being built in Kirtipur Municipality-6, will be charged and brought into operation immediately after Dashain, according to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

Two power transformers, each with a capacity of 45 MVA, have been installed at the substation.

One circuit of the Matatirtha–Chobhar section under the Thankot–Chapagaun–Bhaktapur 132 kV double-circuit transmission line project has already been charged to supply electricity to the substation.

The Chobhar substation is expected to help meet the growing electricity demand in Kirtipur and surrounding areas, as well as around Pulchowk in Lalitpur, while improving the reliability and quality of power supply.

A team led by Managing Director of NEA Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha conducted an on-site inspection of the substation on Thursday. The team held discussions with project management officials, consultants and contractors and received updates on construction progress.

During the inspection, MD Shrestha directed the concerned officials to complete the remaining works promptly and charge the substation immediately after Dashain, as the transmission line supplying electricity to it has already been charged.

Stressing the importance of the Matatirtha–Chobhar transmission line and the Chobhar Substation in managing the growing electricity demand in the Kathmandu Valley during the upcoming winter, he called for both infrastructure projects to be given high priority and brought into operation as soon as possible.

Nine 11 kV feeder lines have been planned to distribute electricity from the Chobhar substation to local areas. Of these, three feeders will extend towards Pulchowk in Lalitpur and six towards Kirtipur.

According to NEA, the feeder line extension work is in its final stage, and the substation will be charged immediately after Dashain once the work is completed.

The Chobhar Substation was constructed as an alternative arrangement after construction work on the Thankot–Chapagaun–Bhaktapur 132 kV transmission line faced obstructions in Khokana, Bungamati, Harisiddhi and Lamatar areas of Lalitpur.

The construction of an approximately 4.5-kilometre-long 132 kV underground transmission line from Chobhar to Patan is also being carried out on a high-priority basis. Construction of a 132 kV substation in Patan is also underway.

The Chobhar substation has been built on 12 ropani and 12 aana of land leased from Himal Cement at Bhootkhel, Chobhar.

A Cabinet meeting held on January 31, 2022, decided to lease the land to the NEA for the construction of the substation. The substation has been constructed with concessional loans provided under the Kathmandu Valley Transmission Capacity Strengthening Project, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).