Chaitra 19, Jajarkot – An agreement has been reached to connect the 124.35 MW of electricity generated from the Jagdulla ‘A’ Hydropower Project to the 400 kV transmission line. Sanjay Sapkota, Chief Executive Officer of Jagdulla Hydropower Company Limited, informed that an understanding was established between Jagdulla Hydropower Company Limited and the National Transmission Grid Company Limited to evacuate 124.35 MW of electricity generated from the Jagdulla – A project.
The project will be constructed in the border area of Dolpa and Jajarkot districts, specifically in Mudkechula Rural Municipality-4, Dolpa, and Nalgad Municipality-13. Although originally planned with a capacity of 82.3 MW, the project is being developed to increase that capacity to 124.35 MW, Mr. Sapkota said.
The company plans to develop the project as a peak-run-of-the-river type. According to the company, pre-construction activities, including feasibility studies and detailed engineering studies, have been completed. The environmental impact assessment report is now in the approval process. Financial arrangements for a loan of NPR 2.5 billion are underway. NEA Engineering Company had signed an agreement to conduct the detailed studies in December 2020. With completion of the detailed project report (DPR) and other preparatory work, construction is expected to commence in the fiscal year 2083/84 (2026/27).
Water diverted through a 7-kilometer tunnel from the Jagdulla Hydropower Project will be channeled directly to Damachaur in Nalgad Municipality–13 to generate electricity. The project includes constructing a 132 kV transmission line to connect the generated power to the 400 kV substation at Danipipal in Nalgad. The goal is to complete construction and commence commercial electricity production within four years.
To connect the 400 kV transmission line, a 400 kV capacity transmission line will be built along the Bheri corridor from the central power transmission line. This transmission line will be constructed in Mainatada, BheriGanga Municipality–8, Surkhet, and Danipipal, Nalgad Municipality–7, Jajarkot. Sagar Shrestha, CEO of the National Transmission Grid Company Limited, said that discussions with the Ministry of Finance are ongoing for the transmission line construction. Land acquisition in Mainatada and Danipipal has been completed. The transmission line is estimated to cost around NPR 800 crore, while the substation construction in Danipipal and Mainatada is projected to cost NPR 600 crore.
The construction work for substations, including the one at Danipipal, has started with the objective to finish within four years. The initial substation will be located at Danipipal, with the final point at Mainatada in Surkhet. Although construction was planned to begin in December 2023 and complete by November 2027, delays in financial arrangements have caused some postponement in the project timeline.
