Birtamod. Dec 27: Ten megawatts of electricity produced by Jhapa Energy Pvt Ltd has been connected to the transmission line of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). This solar energy project with the highest capacity of the private sector is being operated in Shivasatakshi municipality-4 of Jhapa district, eastern terai district of Nepal.
Paritosh Kumar Choudhary, the head of the NEA Damak Branch, informed that the solar energy has been connected to the Buluchok substation at Shivasatakshi. “We are now on testing phase,” he said, “It will continue for at least 15 days.”
On the occasion, Birtamod Municipality Mayor Pavitra Mahatara, NEA Koshi Province Engineer Sajan Maharjan, Managing Director of Jhapa Energy Subas Bhattarai were present.
Managing Director Bhattarai informed that on the 15 days trial phase the Jhapa Energy will provide electricity free of cost to the NEA.
The project is being conducted in an area of 21 bighas of land, south of Dudhe. It is nearly 10 km south from the East-West Highway. The construction of the project started four years ago with an investment of Rs 81 crore under the leadership of MP LP Sanwa. Machhapuchhre Bank and Civil Bank have 75 percent financial share and 25 percent local share in the project.
The authority’s Buluchok substation is at a distance of one kilometer from the project site. The company itself had built a 960 meter transmission line to deliver electricity to the substation. A power purchase agreement was signed between Jhapa Energy Pvt Ltd and NEA on 12th of Mangsir 2078 BS.
According to the agreement, the electricity produced by the project will be purchased by the authority at the price of Rs. 7.30 per unit.