OPTIMAL POWER EVACUATION FOR HYDRO PROJECTS IN NEPAL

Abstract

Nepal possesses high hydropower potential and need to be exploited for the economic growth of the country. Development of proper power evacuation infrastructure is very much important for boosting investments in the Hydropower sector. The nature of rivers in Nepal is perennial and topography is steep gradients of Himalays provides ideal conditions for the development of hydro potential. Government of Nepal has conducted several studies for power evacuation considering the potential hydropower projects in the country. A Indo-Nepal transmission link for power trade with India also exist. Government of Nepal is encouraging development of hydropower in the country by allowing national and international companies to invest in hydropower project located in different places of the country. Transmission network is required for transmitting the energy generated. Some part of country especially industrial areas is facing load shedding due to low power generation of the present system and does not match the load growth at rate of 8-9 % annually. In the present context there is a necessity to import electrical energy from India, Bhutan and other In neighboring country to overcome the power crisis. This also requires a transmission network to serve the load centers. In view of above, the present study has been conducted for the optimal power evacuation for hydropower projects in Nepal. Data on Hydropower projects, their geographical location (Latitude and longitude) and their posible transmission also the existing/Planned transmission network, collect from different government agencies of Nepal. Optimal power evacuation for hydropower project is carried out by using different available software tools and mathematical calculations. Modelling of the electrical network is based on the technical details provided by different concerned agencies. Under this research study the transmission system information and planned hydropower projects which are to be constructed in different years study for 2018 to 2035 has been made . The study would be of immense help in sustainable development of hydropower project development in Nepal