The Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) has completed construction of an 18-kilometer section of the cross-border electricity transmission line connecting the 400 kV New Butwal Substation to the Nepal-India border.
The completion of the Nepal-side section under the MCC Nepal Compact marks a major milestone in strengthening Nepal’s electricity transmission network and expanding cross-border power connectivity, according to the MCA-Nepal Development Committee.
At the request of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, MCA-Nepal accelerated construction of the 18-kilometer section and completed the work within the stipulated timeframe.
Ghanshyam Upadhyay, chairperson of the MCA-Nepal Development Committee, described the completion as a significant achievement for Nepal’s electricity infrastructure and thanked the governments of Nepal and the United States and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for their continued partnership.
Speaking at a programme held Sunday at the New Butwal Substation in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), Upadhyay said the completed section would contribute to strengthening Nepal’s electricity infrastructure and expanding its cross-border energy network.
Sunil Poudel, joint secretary at the Ministry of Energy, said the completion demonstrated Nepal’s progress in improving electricity infrastructure and cross-border connectivity. He emphasized that stronger cross-border electricity links are essential for expanding the country’s power generation and transmission capacity.
Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, acting executive director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), described the achievement as an important milestone for Nepal’s energy sector. He said improved connectivity between Nepal and India would enable the country to derive greater benefits from a stronger regional power network.
MCA-Nepal Executive Director Khadga Bahadur Bista said the agency would now focus on completing the remaining work necessary to energize the transmission line. He said the project would further strengthen electricity cooperation between Nepal, India and the wider region.
MCC Resident National Mission Director Diane Francisco also thanked all stakeholders involved in completing the Nepal-side section, describing the achievement as an example of what can be accomplished through effective collaboration.
Although construction of the 18-kilometer section has been completed, the transmission line cannot yet be commissioned. It will require the remaining permits and regulatory approvals necessary for cross-border electricity transmission before commercial operation can begin.
The completed section is part of MCA-Nepal’s broader power transmission project, which includes a 315-kilometer high-voltage transmission line, three substations and technical assistance to the Electricity Regulatory Commission and the NEA.
The project is designed to improve the availability and reliability of electricity, strengthen Nepal’s national transmission network, enhance energy security and create greater opportunities for future power generation and cross-border electricity trade.
