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Transmission and System Operation Business Group

Transmission and System Operation (TSO) business group is headed by the General Manager and is responsible for design, construction, operation and maintenance of transmission system of voltage level of 66 kV and above. Under this business group, there are three departments, namely, Transmission Line/Substation Construction Department, Grid Operation Department and System Operation Department each headed by a Director.
In FY 2006/07, NEA and IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited of India (IL&FS) have concluded a deal according to which two joint venture companies will be formed, one in Nepal and the other in India. In JVC-Nepal, NEAwiII invest 50% equity while IL&FS will invest 26% equity. The remaining shares will be offered to financial and other institutions. NEA will own equity in JVC-lndia as well. The joint venture companies will be responsible for project development, construction, operation and maintenance of the portion of cross- border transmission system in respective countries. Four projects, namely, Butwal—Gorakhpur, Duhabi—Purnea, Dhalkebar—Muzaffarpur and Anarmani—Siliguri Cross Border Transmission Line Projects will be undertaken for development over the time. Among these transmission lines, the first two will be developed in the first phase within two years. Once built, these cross-border lines will facilitate greater volume of power trading between Nepal and India.
Transmission Line I Substation Construction Department
Transmission Line/Substation Construction Department is responsible for the construction of new transmission lines and substations of 66 kV and higher voltage level. In this fiscal year, the Department has completed Birganj Corridor 132 kV Transmission Line Project, which consists of 17 km long Pathalaiya-Parwanipur double circuit transmission line and a 45 MVA, 132/11 kV substation at Parwanipur. Completion of this project has relieved the overloading of Hetauda-Birganj 66 kV transmission lines to some extent and has enabled NEA to lift off-peak hour load shedding in the area. This Department is also implementing two 220 kVtransmission lines, three 132 kVtransmission lines and three reinforcement projects. A brief description of these projects are given below.
Khimti-Dhalkebar 220 kV Transmission Line Project:
Khimti-Dhalkebar 220 kV Transmission Line will have the distinction of being the first ever 220 kV transmission line in Nepal. Once completed this transmission line will improve the reliability of power evacuation from Khimti-1 Hydroelectric Project (HEP), improve the voltage-drop problem in eastern Nepal and provide a direct route for export of available power to India via Dhalkebar Substation. This line will also serve the purpose of evacuation of powerfrom planned UpperTamakosi Hydroelectric Project.
The Project comprises of a 75 km long 220 kV transmission line on double circuit towers from Khimti-1 HEP to Dhalkebar Substation and 132 kV line bay extensions at each end of the line. Single circuit duplex BISON conductor will be strung and charged at 132 kV level till Upper Tamakoshi HEP is built.
Contracts have already been awarded for the 220 kV transmission line including the 132 kV bay extensions. Fabrication of towers has already begun. Land acquisition for transmission line will be initiated shortly. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (S IA) have been completed. Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. is providing the consulting services for the Project. The estimated cost of the Project is US$ 22 million and is funded jointly by GoN, NEA and IDA. The project is expected to be completed by 2008.
Hetauda-Bardaghat 220 kV Transmission Line Project:
INPS has major load centers at central and eastern Nepal, whereas, the generating stations are located mainly in western and central region. The present network shows that there is a weak link from Hetauda to Bardaghat. The connection of Hetauda to Bardaghat is at 132 kV single circuit transmission line with PANTHER conductor. A fault in either Marsyhayngdi-Siuchatar or in Bharatpur-Hetauda Transmission Line section will overload HetaudaBardaghat Transmission Line resulting into the collapse of the entire INPS system. The existing Hetauda-Bardaghat transmission line will be further overloaded if the generation capacity is increased to meet the unconstrained/normal system load. With the introduction of Middle Marsyangdi HEP into the system, the situation will be even more severe. Hence, upg radation of transmission capacity between Hetauda and Bardaghat has been a task of priority for NEA. Keeping in view of the above, NEA has decided to implement Hetauda-Bardaghat 220 kV Transmission Line Project. The Project comprises of approximately 143 km long double circuit 220 kV transmission line connecting the existing Hetauda and Bardag hat Substations using ACSR BISON duplex conductors. EIA study has been completed, the report of which is under review by the concerned governmental agency. The cost of this Project is estimated at US$ 39.2 million.
Thankot-Chapagaon-Bhaktapur 132 kV Transmission Line Project
Thankot-Chapagaon-Bhaktapur 132 kV Transmission Line Project comprises of nearly 28 km long 132 kV transmission line from Thankot (Matatirtha) to Bhaktapur via Harisiddhi. This Project will complete the 132 kV ring-main system in Kathmandu valley. The 132 kV ring main, on one hand, will greatly assist in catering the increasing demand in the valley and on the other hand, will help to bring down system loss, improve the quality and reliability of the power supply in the Valley. About 26 km of this line will be double-circuit while the rest will be four-circuit. The Project includes the construction of a new 132 kV switching station at Matatirtha, a new 132/11 kV, 22.5 MVA substation at Harisiddhi and upgrading of existing Bhaktapur and Balaju Substations. Estimated cost of the Project is US$ 20 million. The Project is being financed by GoN, NEA, ADB and OPEC. So far 40% of the line construction work has been completed. The design works of substations are underway. The Project is planned to be completed by 2008.
Middle Marsyangdi—Dumre-DamauliMarsyangdi 132 Transmission Line Project:
Middle Marsyangdi—Dumre-Damauli-Marsyangdi 132 kV Transmission Line Project is envisaged to improve security and reliability of the network and to facilitate evacuation of power from the ongoing Middle Marsyangdi Hydroelectric Project (MMHEP). This Project will also open up the way for power evacuation for future hydroelectric projects in Marsyangdi basin. The Project component comprises of stringing of second circuit from MMHEP to Dumre, construction of double circuit transmission line from Dumre to Damauli and stringing of second circuit from Dumre to existing Marsyandi HEP. Route alignment survey for the Dumre-Damauli section of the transmission line has been completed and EIA study is underway. This project is estimated to cost US$ 6.8 million.
Kabeli Corridor 132 KV Transmission Line Project:
Kabeli Corridor 132 Ky Transmission Line Project has been envisaged to evacuate power from proposed 30 MW Kabeli-A HEP in Mechi zone of the country. This line will also pave way for the development of other hydroelectric projects in Kosi basin. Survey works for the route alignment of the transmission line is currently in progress. EIA study will start from next fiscal year. This project is expected to cost about US$ 18.4 million. The Project comprises of construction of single circuit stringing in double circuit towers for the first stage. Discussions are underway with the World Bank for funding this Project.
Chandranigahpur System Reinforcement Project:
Chandranigahpur System Reinforcement Project comprises of construction of 132/33/11 kV substation at Chandranigahpur and 74 km long 33 kV sub-transmission lines to connect the new Chandranigahpur Substation and 33/11 kV distribution substations at Harsha, Haripur, Gaur and Nijgadh. These reinforcement will reduce the losses and improve the reliability and quality of supply in the area. The Project is estimated to cost US$ 6 million and is funded jointly by GoN, NEA and IDA. About 50% of works of Chandranigahpur Substation has already been completed. Equipment required for the substation are scheduled to reach site by the end of 2007. Contract for Supply and construction of 33 kV sub-transmission line will be awarded shortly. The Project is scheduled to be completed by 2008.
Grid Substations Reinforcement Project:
Grid Substations Reinforcement Project envisages to reinforce the existing Grid substations with a view to maintain the reliability of the supply by matching the Grid substations capacity with the growing demand. The Project comprises of the following components:
(a) Installation of one unit of 132/33 kV, 30 MVA, 3-phase power transformer along with associated control and protection panel in Anarmani Substation in Mechi zone.
(b) Installation of one unit of 132/11 kV, 30 MVA, 3-phase power transformer and associated bay extension in Pokhara Substation.
(c) Installation of 132/66 kV, 3x12.6 MVA power transformer (bank of three single-phase transformers) along with associated control and protection panel at Siuchatar Substation in Kathmandu.
Construction works in above three substations are under progress. The Project is estimated to cost US$ 3.24 million and is jointly funded by GoN, NEA, ADB and OPEC. The Project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007.

Kawasoti 132 kV Substation Project
Kawasoti 132 kV Substation Project is being undertaken to meet the growing electricity demand in the eastern part of Nawalparasi District. This Project will provide the infrastructure for the expansion of 33/11 kV sub-transmission/distribution network to cover a large number of rural hilly area in the northern part of the district.
Under this Project, the existing Bardghat-Bharatpur 132 kV transmission line will be looped-in-out at Pragatinagarto form a new 132/33/11 kV substation. The existing Bharatpur—Kawasoti 33 kV line will be isolated from Bharatpur Substation and fed from the new substation. Major components of the Project consist of two 132 kV line bays, one 132 kV transformer bay with a 132/33 kV, 30 MVA power transformer, another 33 kV transformer bay with a 33/11 kV, 8 MVA power transformer and 11 kV cubicles.
The project is jointly funded by the GoN, NEA and the Government of Japan (G0J). The Project is estimated to cost NRs.61 5 million part of which will be met by the Japanese grant of JP 847 million. EIA study and land acquisition works have been completed. Consultant has been appointed and detail design work of control building and substation is under progress. The Project is scheduled for completion in FY 2008/09.
Grid Operation Department
Grid Operation Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of transmission system of Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS). In addition to the operation and maintenance of transmission system, it has also the responsibility of upgrading, reinforcing and rehabilitation of transmission system. Major activities of this Department are described below.
Transformer Upgrading, Reinforcement and Voltage Improvement Works

The overloaded 10 MVA, 132/33kV Transformer at Lahan Substation was replaced with 20 MVA Transformer. A 6.3 MVA, 66/11kV Power Transformer has been added at Simara Substation. Reactive compensation measures was implemented atAnarmani Substation by installing a 2x7.5 MVAR, 33 kV capacitor bank to resolve the severe low voltage problem at eastern Nepal.
Other Reinforcement Works
Existing 16 sets of 11kV Minimum Oil Circuit Breakers (MOCB) were replaced with Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCB) at Balaju Substation. The damaged 6 MVA, 66/11 kV Power Transformer at Siuchatar Substation was repaired and put into operation.
Following major works are under progress:
Installation and construction of 6.3 MVA,66/11 kVtransformerand bay at Sunkoshi Power Station and 15 MVA, 132/33 kV transformer and bay at Lamosanghu Substation for evacuating the power from IPPs projects in Sunkoshi corridor; Installation and construction of bay for 10 MVA, 132/33 kV power transformer and bay, 3 MVA, 33/11 kV transformer and bay at Damauli Substation; Shifting and installation of 8/10 MVA, 132/33 kV power transformer from Lahan Substation to Kohalpur Substation; Installation of 45 MVA, 132/66 kV power transformer and bay at Parwanipur Substation; Construction of 132 kV double busbar system at Butwal and Chanauta Substations; Upgradation of protection system at Lahan Substation;- Replacement of 8 MVA, 33/11 kV transformer by new 16.6 MVA transformer and replacement of old circuit breakers with new VCB at Butwal Substation.
Testing and Maintenance works
Altogether 853 numbers of relays and 226 numbers of energy meters were tested in various Grid substations including energy meters of IPP and NEA owned Power Stations. Routine maintenance works were carried out as per schedule in different substations and transmission lines.
System Operation Department
Load Dispatch Centre (LDC) under System Operation Department provides the real time supervision and control of the Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS) using state of art Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. FY 2006/07 was a challenging year for system operation. The gap between the supply and demand both in terms of capacity and energy was so huge that NEA had no option but to enforce system wide Load shedding. However, diligent efforts were made to minimise load shedding to the extent possible.
Performance-wise, total number of system trippings was reduced to 19 from 21 in FY 2005/06, 24 in FY 2004/05 and 28 in FY 2003/04. The availability of real time data and better communication system have improved the overall availability of power stations and transmission lines and has helped to minimize the time required for restoration of the power system in case of black-outs. This has contributed in the reduction of financial losses of
NEA.
For the efficient operation of IN PS, it is necessary to obtain real time data from the power stations and substations. The trained manpower of LDC completed the computerization in the substations using in-house capability. Several fibers optic lines have been leased to Nepal Telecom and other private companies thereby generating additional revenue for NEA. System Operation Department also launched the yearly system operation report A Year in Retrospect 2062/063 in presence of Honorable Minister of State for Water Reassures and other dignitaries.