Himal Press 
Mulpani Substation.
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has set a long-term vision of building 20 substations in Kathmandu Valley by 2050 when the demand is projected to reach 3,100 MW.
According to NEA, these substations of 220, 132, 33, and 11 kV levels will be developed in phases across key areas of the valley to strengthen its transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Currently, six substations are under construction in various parts of the Kathmandu Valley. Among these, the Teku substation in Kathmandu is already operational, while the ones in Phutung and Mulpani are in their final stages of construction. The NEA plans to bring them online within the next two months. Additionally, the Chobhar substation is expected to be operational by mid-June.
In Bhaktapur, the Changunarayan substation has been completed and is awaiting commissioning, while the one in Thimi is slated for completion within eight months.
These substations have a capacity of 90 MVA.
According to NEA, these substations will enable an additional 500 MW of electricity to flow into the Kathmandu Valley. Currently, the valley’s electricity demand stands at around 500 MW.
NEA officials say land acquisition for the planned substations has already been completed. Preparatory work, including surveys for a 220 kV ring structure encircling the outer perimeter of the valley, has also been finalized.
Along with building new substations, NEA has also started work on the modernization of existing transmission infrastructure. These include automating, taking electric cables underground and adding new feeders and transformers.
NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising recently inspected the under-construction substations and urged officials to expedite construction to ensure a reliable, high-quality power supply. He added that managing electricity demand and supply in Kathmandu Valley will become easier and more efficient once these infrastructure are operational.
The Mulpani substation will be connected to the Chapali-Bhaktapur 132 kV transmission line and will supply electricity to areas such as Jadibuti, Pepsi Cola, Kandaghari, Gothatar, Mulpani, Jorpati, Sanghu and Thimi. Similarly, the Phutung substation will tap into the Balaju-Chapali 132 kV double-circuit transmission line to supply electricity to areas like Balaju, Nepaltar and Golphutar.
According to NEA, the Chobhar substation will receive power from the Matatirtha substation.
These infrastructure projects are being funded through investments from the Government of Nepal, NEA and concessional loans from development partners like the ADB, the World Bank and JICA.
