Linxon India commissions Nepal’s first 400-kV GIS substation at Dhalkebar

• The Dhalkebar substation is the first 400 kV substation to enter operation in the country

• The completion of this project will facilitate the transmission of up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity through Nepal's first ever high-voltage cross-border transmission line

New Delhi: Linxon India, a joint venture company set up by SNC-Lavalin and Hitachi ABB Power Grids, said on Friday that it has successfully commissioned Nepal's first 400-kilovolt gas insulated substation at Dhalkebar on behalf of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). "The operation of the Dhalkebar substation is an important milestone for Nepal's hydropower sector and is the first 400 kV substation to enter operation in the country," said an official statement.

"The substation was energised to full capacity, allowing the 400 kV Muzaffarpur (India) – Dhalkebar (Nepal) line to come into operation on November 11, 2020. During an inauguration ceremony on February 1, 2021, NEA has presented a certificate of commendation to Linxon India Private Ltd for the successful completion. The certificate was given by KP Sharma Oli, Hon'ble Prime Minister of Nepal," it added.

400-kV Dhalkebar substation will facilitate transmission of 1,000 MW to Nepal

The completion of this project will facilitate the transmission of up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity through Nepal's first ever high-voltage cross-border transmission line. The substation, being the major hub for power exchange between Nepal and India, will ease the process of importing power and help meet the increasing demand for electricity in Nepal whilst also facilitating the export of electricity to India when Nepal's capacity generated is surplus to demand. The operation of the 400 kV Dhalkebar substation will further ease the reliable transmission of electricity within Nepal, along the country's east-west axis.

"We wish to congratulate NEA on this successful commissioning and thank them for the confidence they have shown in us. We are proud of our collaboration and of the achievements of our execution team in Nepal, who safely steered the project through many challenges to its final completion", said Frédéric Tréfois, CEO of Linxon.

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"Together Linxon and NEA managed to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a range of infrastructural challenges encountered whilst moving heavy weight consignments," said Dinesh Chadha, Managing Director of Linxon India. "Nevertheless, these challenges helped us to build a strong collaborative working model between Linxon, our vendors and NEA, and allowed us to demonstrate our tremendous sense of grit and resilience," he added.

Project will be a hub for power transmission network of Nepal: NEA deputy MD

"Even during this adverse situation of recent COVID-19 pandemic, Linxon has successfully completed the substation, which shall play strategically as a hub for power transmission network of Nepal," said Dirghayu K Shrestha, deputy managing director, chief transmission, Directorate Nepal Electricity Authority, in the statement. Shrestha added that the substation will also upgrade Nepal-India inter-country power trade capacity up to 1,000 MW through 400kV Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross border transmission line.

The Linxon scope of supply included testing and commissioning of the high voltage equipment, (15 bays with two bus bars, three 315 MVA transformers and an 80 MVAR reactor) as well as the provision of all necessary civil works associated with the scope.

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