Six private companies have submitted applications for the construction of two transmission lines under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model through public-private investment. Four companies have applied for the 400 kV Haitar-Shetalpati transmission line in the Arun Corridor in eastern Nepal, while two others have applied for the 220 kV Lamabagar-Bahrabise transmission line covering Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk districts.
The state-owned National Transmission Grid Company Limited (NTGCL) had issued a public notice in December last year inviting applications for these projects. According to Rajesh Pokharel, Company Secretary of NTGCL, four companies—White Flower Energy Company Pvt. Ltd., Apic Energy Pvt. Ltd., Summit Energy Solution Pvt. Ltd., and Shangrila Energy Limited—have applied for the 400 kV Haitar-Shetalpati transmission line. These companies are associated with hydropower projects such as the 40.7 MW Chujung Khola Hydropower Project, the 125 MW Lower Barun Khola Hydropower Project, the 44 MW Bakan Khola Hydropower Project, and the 63 MW Chujung Khola Hydropower Project, respectively.
The estimated cost of the Haitar-Shetalpati transmission line is around Rs 9 billion. It is planned as a common transmission infrastructure for hydropower projects located in the Upper Arun River and its tributaries. Similarly, two companies—NASA Company Limited and Sanima Hydropower—have applied for the 220 kV Lamabagar-Bahrabise transmission line. These companies are linked to the 160 MW Lapchekhola Hydropower Project and the Jumkhola Hydropower Project, respectively. The estimated cost of the Lamabagar-Bahrabise transmission line is Rs 5 billion. Once constructed, it will facilitate the transfer of electricity from five hydropower projects to the national grid.
Pokharel stated that NTGCL is currently reviewing the applications. If all conditions are met, the state-owned company will proceed with the investment modality, determining the shareholding between NTGCL and private sector companies. The Lamabagar-Bahrabise transmission line will be the second transmission project developed with private sector investment, while the Haitar-Shetalpati transmission line will be the third.
Nepal’s first transmission project with private sector participation, the 220 kV Tamor-Dhungesanghu transmission line, is currently under construction at an estimated cost of Rs 3.8 billion. Under the investment agreement for this project, NTGCL holds a 26% stake, while private companies contribute as follows: Remit Hydro 10%, Simbuwa Remit Hydro 9%, Crystal Power Development Pvt. Ltd. 42%, Union Hydropower 8%, and Nepal Hydro Venture Pvt. Ltd. 5%.
