NEPAL — GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions has been awarded a contract to upgrade three Gas-Insulated Substations (GIS) located in Khimti, Barhabise and Lapsiphedi.

The manufacturer has been contracted by Nepal Electricity Authority, the state-owned parent generator and distributor of electric power in Nepal that operates and maintains the country’s installed power capacity of around 1,332 MW.

The new GIS substations are to deliver hydro energy to the households in the regions outside Nepal’s capital Kathmandu that still do not have access to the national grid. The manufacturer is to upgrade the substations from 220 kV to 400 kV.

The substations are a critical part of Nepal‘s South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Power Transmission and Distribution Project. This project is also expected to enable Nepal to trade the excess power with neighboring countries. The project is being spearheaded by NEA with funding from the Asian Development Bank and Nepal’s government.

“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,” said Hitendra Dev Shakya, Managing Director, Nepal Electricity Authority.

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

Source: GE