Nepal’s Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has inaugurated the 132 kV Butwal–Lumbini double circuit transmission line, which had been energised earlier by the state-owned power utility, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
The line will improve power supply and control power losses in the Bhairahawa area of Rupandehi district, Nepal. The 18-km transmission line connecting the Butwal and Mainahiya substations can transmit up to 200 MW of electricity. About two km of the line has been laid underground in the Butwal city area. Under the transmission project, a substation has also been constructed in Mainahiya with two power transformers of 132/33/11 kV, 45 MVA and 33/11 kV, 16 MVA capacities, while as many as 57 towers have been constructed along the transmission line. Preliminary work of the transmission line project had started in the 2013-14 fiscal year, but construction had been delayed due to route changes and COVID-19 restrictions. The estimated cost of the project is USD9.5 million. The Butwal–Lumbini line will be used for power exchange with India. The Mainahiya substation (Nepal) will be connected with the Sampatiya (New Nautanwa) substation in Uttar Pradesh, India via a 132 kV, 28-km line, which is scheduled to become operational in 2023.