Kathmandu: The construction of the 28-kilometer Chilime-Trishuli 220 kV transmission line, critical for integrating hydropower into Nepal’s national grid, has been completed. This line, connecting the Chilime Hub Sub-Station in Rasuwa to the Trishuli III B Hub Station in Nuwakot, will facilitate the supply of electricity generated from various hydropower projects along the Trishuli River and its tributaries.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Kul Man Ghising announced that the construction continued through public holidays, enabling timely completion. The transmission line infrastructure is now ready to handle electricity from the 111-megawatt Rasuwagadhi and 42.5-megawatt Sanjen projects, both nearing production, as well as future projects in Rasuwa.

The Chilime-Trishuli project, costing an estimated $3.62 billion, is funded by the NEA, with support from Germany’s KFW Development Bank and a concessional loan from the European Investment Bank. The construction contract was awarded to a Chinese company in 2074 BS (2017).