Upper Junbesi Hydroelectric Project Completes IEE of 13.18 KM Transmission Line

KATHMANDU; The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) report for the proposed 13.18-kilometre transmission line of the 5.575 MW Upper Junbesi Khola Hydroelectric Project in Solukhumbu district has been made public.

The Department of Electricity Development (DoED) on Sunday issued a 35-day public notice, inviting suggestions, comments and objections from stakeholders and the general public regarding any potential environmental or social impacts associated with the construction and operation of the transmission line.

According to the DoED, the project's developer, Gurkhas Himalayan Hydro Limited, plans to construct an 8.47-kilometre, 33 kV double-circuit transmission line from the switchyard of the Upper Junbesi Khola Hydroelectric Project, currently under construction in Solududhkunda Municipality–2, to the switchyard of the Lower Dudhkund Khola Hydroelectric Project in Ward No. 3 of the same municipality.

In addition, the project includes the construction of a 4.71-kilometre, 132 kV single-circuit transmission line extending from the Lower Dudhkund Khola Hydropower Project to the proposed Junbesi Hub Pooling Station. The total length of the transmission infrastructure will therefore be 13.18 kilometres.

The DoED stated that the IEE report was prepared after the developer sought approval to construct the transmission line in accordance with the Electricity Regulations, 1993. Individuals, local communities and organizations who believe the project could cause significant environmental or social impacts may submit written comments or suggestions to the department within 35 days of the publication of the notice.

According to the IEE report, the transmission line will require the installation of 209 steel tubular poles along the 33 kV section and two transmission towers along the 132 kV section.

The project will permanently acquire approximately 0.50 hectares of land, while an additional 0.53 hectares will be required temporarily during the construction period. Furthermore, around 9.66 hectares of land will fall within the transmission line's Right of Way (RoW).

The report states that the minimum Right of Way will be 6.62 metres for the 33 kV transmission line and 18 metres for the 132 kV transmission line.

The DoED has emphasized that the project will implement appropriate mitigation measures to minimize soil erosion, flooding, dust, air pollution and other environmental impacts during both the construction and operational phases, in compliance with the Electricity Act, 1992, and prevailing environmental standards.