The Hindu : Business : India, Nepal identify four power transmission projects

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Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008
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India, Nepal identify four power transmission projects

Sujay Mehdudia

DPR from Power Grid Corporation will be submitted shortly

Two joint venture companies floated
Dhalkebar-Muzzafarpur corridor chosen in Phase I

NEW DELHI: India and Nepal, seeking to expand cooperation in the power sector, have identified four trans-border transmission corridors for implementation to enhance power exchange between the two countries and to make the initiative bankable.

Interconnection

The Indo-Nepal Power Exchange Committee had met recently and identified the Butwal-Gorakhpur; Duhabi-Purnea; Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur and Anarmani-Siliguri power transmission corridors for implementation. Ironically, Nepal, with a hydro power potential of 80,000 MW, is reeling under acute power shortage.

“This interconnection would enable access to the power deficit Indian market and make the projects bankable and benefiting for both countries,” Minister of State for Power and Commerce Jairam Ramesh said.

Mr. Jairam said Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) had taken the initiative for development of the Indo-Nepal transmission project. Two joint venture companies — Cross Border Power Transmission Company Private Ltd. and Power Transmission Company Nepal Ltd. — were incorporated for implementation of the projects.

The Power Minister said the Dhalkebar-Muzzafarpur corridor had been identified for development in the first phase.

The line was proposed to be a 400 kV line, initially charged at 220 kV. Power Trading Corporation (PTC) had been identified by the Ministry of External Affairs as the nodal agency for trade of power from and to Indian utilities to the Nepal Electricity Authority in Nepal, he added. The estimated cost of the project was around Rs. 238 crore, out of which, 100 km would be in India costing Rs. 153 crore and 45 km in Nepal costing Rs. 86 crore.

Mr. Jairam said the route survey of the Indian portion had been completed and the Expression of Interest for the EPC issue already carried out. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) from Power Grid Corporation of India would be submitted shortly, Mr. Jairam added.

On the Nepalese side, he said the route survey and the environment impact study were in progress.

The EoI for engineering, procurement and construction had been issued and Power Grid had been engaged as consultants for conducting a DPR.

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