Kathmandu: Electricity generated from hydropower projects in the Marsyangdi watershed area will now reach Kathmandu following the completion of a major substation and transmission line project.

The construction of a 220/132 kV gas-insulated system (GIS) substation at Markee Chowk in Aanbukhaireni Rural Municipality, Tanahu, has been finalized and brought into operation. The substation, part of the Marsyangdi-Kathmandu 220 kV Transmission Line Project, was charged and became operational on Tuesday, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

With this development, the 82-kilometre Marsyangdi-Kathmandu transmission line is now functional at 220 kV capacity. NEA Managing Director Kul Man Ghising stated that the infrastructure required to transmit power from the Marsyangdi River corridor to Kathmandu has been completed. He emphasized that this will enhance the voltage of Nepal's integrated electricity system, ensuring reliable and quality power supply.

Additionally, electricity from the Marsyangdi corridor can be transmitted to Bharatpur once the Markee Chowk-Bharatpur section of the Marsyangdi Corridor Transmission Line Project is completed. This segment is expected to be operational by mid-June 2025.

The project also includes the Matatirtha substation, which has been operational since May. Both the Markee Chowk and Matatirtha substations are equipped with two power transformers each, with a capacity of 160 MVA, bringing their total capacity to 320 MVA each.

The Marsyangdi-Kathmandu Transmission Line Project was initiated with funding from the Government of Nepal and NEA, supported by a grant from the Norwegian government and a concessional loan from the Asian Development Bank.