KATHMANDU: Nepal is set to bring 10 new transmission lines into operation during the current fiscal year 2026/27 (FY 2083/84), including the strategically important 400-kV Hetauda–Dhalkebar line and the second Nepal–India cross-border transmission line, New Butwal–Gorakhpur.

According to data from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), construction of 10 transmission-line projects under its development program is expected to be completed this fiscal year. Nepal currently has 95 transmission lines of various capacities in operation.

400-kV Hetauda–Dhalkebar nearing completion

The 135-km 400-kV Hetauda–Dhalkebar transmission line, considered the backbone of Nepal’s national grid, is expected to be completed this month.

Conductors have already been strung across 123.6 km of the line, while 372 of its 378 towers have been completed. Only 11.4 km of conductor stringing remains.

Construction accelerated after the Cabinet approved the use of 2.2 hectares of forest land in Makwanpur and the removal of trees within the project area on June 24. The project had remained stalled for nearly 14 years due to the lack of approval to use the forest land.

Once completed, the line will strengthen the east-west flow of electricity within Nepal and help deliver surplus power to Dhalkebar, a key point for electricity exports to India.

NEA Acting Executive Director Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha said the project would improve the ability to transmit electricity across the country according to demand while also supporting power exports.

Second cross-border link to India

The 400-kV New Butwal–Gorakhpur cross-border transmission line, Nepal’s second major electricity link with India, is also scheduled to become operational this fiscal year.

The approximately 18-km Nepal section is being developed by Millennium Challenge Account Nepal under the MCC grant. Of the 52 towers planned for the Nepal section, 46 have already been completed, and construction is expected to finish within a month.

The 117-km Indian section is being developed through a joint investment by Nepal and India. NEA expects it to be operational by November 2026. Construction has been completed along 87 km, while 310 of the planned 325 towers have been completed.

The project is initially expected to facilitate the export of 200 MW of electricity to India. Nepal and India agreed on the initial 200-MW export during the 13th Nepal–India Joint Steering Committee meeting on energy cooperation held in Pokhara on June 15.

The Nepal section will connect to the 400-kV New Butwal substation, which is being built under the MCC grant and is scheduled for completion in December 2027.

Tumlingtar–Sheetalpati in final stage

The 220-kV Tumlingtar–Sheetalpati transmission line is also expected to come into operation this fiscal year.

The 14-km line has all 39 towers completed, while conductor stringing remains the main outstanding task. Stringing has already been completed along 3 km. NEA expects the project to be operational by mid-January 2027.

The project is expected to strengthen electricity transmission in eastern Nepal.

These three high-capacity lines—Hetauda–Dhalkebar, New Butwal–Gorakhpur and Tumlingtar–Sheetalpati—are considered particularly important for strengthening Nepal’s domestic grid and expanding electricity exports.

Seven 132-kV lines also progressing

Seven additional 132-kV transmission lines are expected to be completed or brought into operation during the fiscal year.

The 32-km Kohalpur–Dailekh line is targeted for completion by July 2027. Foundations for 80 of its 101 towers have been completed, while 32 towers are fully constructed.

The 22.5-km Kaligandaki–Ridi line is nearing operation, with all 70 towers completed and conductor stringing completed along 8.55 km.

The 14.4-km Bhumahi–Hukai line is also targeted for completion by July 2027. Of its 47 planned towers, foundations for 22 have been completed.

The 19.2-km Amarpur–Dhungesahu line is expected to come online by November 2026. Foundations for 62 of its 67 towers have been completed, while 27 towers are fully constructed.

The 20-km Lalbandi–Simalpur line has already been completed. NEA is preparing to charge the line after completing the necessary technical procedures and expects it to become operational by October.

The 20-km Balefi–Barhabise line is targeted for operation by July 2027. Foundations for 59 of its 63 towers have been completed, with 43 towers fully constructed.

The 12-km Kushma–New Modi line is also targeted for completion by July 2027. Seven of its 37 planned tower foundations have been completed, with construction of the remaining towers and conductor stringing to continue.

Together, the projects are expected to strengthen Nepal’s east-west transmission capacity, improve domestic power distribution and create additional infrastructure for electricity exports to India.