Indo-Nepal power transmission line may get IFC funding

IFC may partly fund the Indo-Nepal Power transmission project that would facilitate up to 1,000 MW.

The Cross Border Power Transmission Company Limited (CPTC), a joint venture, will implement transmission line on the Indian side. 

The shareholders of CPTC are IL&FS Energy Development Company (IEDC), POWERGRID, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and SJVN Limited. 

It consists of a 130 km, 400 kV, double circuit (D/C) twin moose line that runs from Muzaffarpur in India to Dhalkebar in Nepal.

This portion of the cross border transmission line is approximately 90 km long and goes from Muzaffarpur to Sursand. The line also includes bay extension work in POWERGRID’s existing operational sub station at Muzaffarpur.

The balance 40 Km transmission line from Bathanaha to Dhalkebar, is in Nepal's territory and is being implemented by a Nepalese joint venture company named Power Transmission Company Nepal Limited (PTCN). PTCN is a joint venture led by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) with POWERGRID and, IL&FS as its the other shareholders.

The International Finance Corporation said that the proposed funding of CPTC would “ address the funding gap for critical components of the Nepal India Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (NIETTP) of the World Bank which aims to enhance power trade between Nepal and India.”