CHALLENGES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION LINE IN NEPAL

Abstract

In recent years, generation of hydroelectric power is growing expressively in Nepal contributing more than 90% in national grid responsible for domestic requirement of electrical energy. Both private and state-owned utility and its subsidiaries contributing their output in national grid. In the coming future, generation of electricity will reach at the point having wet season energy in surplus after penetration of Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW), largest installed capacity in national grid. Nepal Electricity Authority fully government owned utility for electricity disclosed information about different hydropower having combine installed capacity 2300 MW already in different stages of development. However, the development of transmission line in the same pace has proven to be very difficult, creating hindrances in evacuation the power adequately despite of government effort. Despite the increment of investment in this sector, the progress has not been achieved as expected. High Voltage Transmission Line is one of the main reason that hinder to tap the abundant potential hydropower resources of Nepal. The main objective of this research is to identify the main hurdles to construct high voltage transmission line in the present perspective. This research work includes structured interviews and questionnaire survey conducted across stakeholders that included among others; client, consultant, contractor on five selected world bank financed electricity transmission line project to gather their opinions on hurdles of construction of power lines in Nepal. The fifteen key challenging factors was identified which were further ranked according to its Relative Importance Index (RII) in different perspectives in order to access challenges associated with construction of transmission line.