GE wins order to upgrade Nepal’s grid infrastructure

• 3 years ago (2021-03-29)
• David Flin

Asia 892 Distribution 122

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GE Renewable Energy ’s Grid Solutions business has announced that it has been awarded a contract to upgrade three Gas-Insulated Substations (GIS) located in Khimti, Barhabise, and Lapsiphedi in Nepal. These modern substations will deliver electricity from hydropower to households in the power-scarce regions outside Nepal’s capital Kathmandu that do not yet have access to the national grid.

The contract has been awarded by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), which operates and maintains the country’s installed power capacity of 1332 MW.

The three GIS substations that GE will upgrade from 220 kV to 400 kV are a critical part of Nepal’s South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Power Transmission and Distribution Project. This project will also enable Nepal to trade excess power with neighbouring countries. The project is controlled by NEA, and it is receiving funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Nepal Government.

The GIS upgrade will include full substation automation, along with relay panels and substation equipment that will be manufactured and supplied from GE’s Grid Solutions’ factories in India located in Padappai, Hosur, Noida, and Pallavaram.

Hitendra Dev Shakya, Managing Director of NEA, said: “The project is a crucial step towards meeting our vision of providing sustainable, reliable, and affordable power to all in Nepal. Extending the access of electricity to all Nepali households and potential commercial establishments is our fundamental objective and we are happy to partner with GE on this mission.”