GE Renewable Energy announced today that its Grid Solutions business has won a multi-million dollar contract from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). This contract includes the automation of 39 substations across the country, including the construction of six main control centers (MCC). The MCCs will be monitored by GE Digital Solutions.
Modernization of electrical panels and components
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project also includes the upgrade of relay panels and other electrical components needed for the substations. Once automated, the substations will be connected to Nepal’s National Load Distribution Center (NLDC) so that real-time data can be collected and analyzed.
“Our goal is to improve the reliability, efficiency and financial viability of Nepal’s electricity supply system,” said Kul Man Ghising, NEA’s managing director. Johan Bindele, Head of Network Systems Integration at GE Grid Solutions, says, “The current layout allows for a large number of different origins and sources. Intelligent updates are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the network and to manage the constant increase in conditions. Upgrading the substations will greatly improve the quality of power transmission in Nepal.”
Report on chronic electricity shortage in Nepal
Although Nepal’s power generation capacity has increased significantly in recent years, power shortages during the dry winter months are still a problem due to the need to strengthen the transmission system. In response to this challenge, the Nepalese government launched ambitious plans in 2016 to install an additional 10,000 MW of generating capacity over the next 10 years and export excess electricity to neighboring countries. To achieve these plans, it is imperative that the country’s transmission systems be upgraded and expanded immediately.
