RASUWA, Jan 23: Nepal and China are conducting load flow test within third week of February as part of preparation to build the first cross-border transmission line.
Komalnath Atreya, chief of Ratamate-Rasuwagadhi-Kerung 400 kV Transmission Line Project, said that power utility of both the countries have started a study to conduct load flow test. "The technical team will first evaluate the flow all over Nepal and will look into the amount of energy that can be flowed in the transmission line," he added.
After the load flow test, design of the substation will be prepared accordingly and necessary equipment will be imported, according to Atreya.
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Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and State Grid of China are studying the load flow in their respective distribution systems.
After completing study in both countries, a joint test will be conducted before preparing detailed project report (DPR). The project has stated that the transmission line will have the capacity to transmit 5,000 MW of electricity.
China plans to procure electricity generated in Nepal after construction of the transmission line. Nepal can also use this key infrastructure to sell electricity to power hungry Bangladesh, say officials.
The two sides have already completed pre-feasibility study of the transmission line that will stretch between Ratamate in Nepal to Kerung of China. As per the study report, a total of 214 pylons will have to be erected. The distance between Ratamate and Kerung is 70 kilometers.
Atreya said that the two sides have agreed to complete feasibility study and the environmental study within two years. The pre-feasibility study report was submitted to concerned authorities of the two countries on March 17, 2019. The transmission line is expected to be completed in six years.
"The pre-feasibility study has covered issues like location to install towers, right of way of the project, necessary land to be acquisitioned and number of towers to be erected," Atreya added. The substation will be built at Ratamate in Nepali side and Kerung in China.
This will be Nepal's first cross-border transmission line with China. Nepal has cross-border transmission line with India at 11 locations. China, under the Belt and Road Initiative, is aiming at building connectivity with all seven continents within 2030. Upon completion, the transmission line will connect China with not only Nepal but also with India and other Asian countries.
