Nepal: Power Transmission and Distribution Efficiency Enhancement Project

Energy / Electricity transmission and distribution - Energy efficiency and conservation

Electricity is a necessary requirement for accelerating the economic development of any country and is considered an important input to improve quality of life. Overall, the electricity demand has far outgrown the supply, leading to load curtailment and increased dependence on imports from India in recent times. The peak suppressed demand in Nepal in FY20132014 has been around 1,200 megawatt (MW) as against installed capacity of 787 MW, hence resulting in a deficit of about 440 MW due to non-availability of generation. Government has plans to generate additional 10,000 MW in the next 10 years. About 63% of the population in Nepal has access to electricity but the supply quality is unreliable and inadequate. The government has recognized the immediate need for reinforcement and upgrade of outdated distribution systems crucial to deliver the required energy to the customers even if the generation and transmission lines are in place. In this regard, the need for immediate distribution network enhancement is included in the government's action plan to address energy crisis and provide universal access to reliable and efficient electricity for all by 2030. This will contribute in promoting sustainable energy for all (Sustainable Development Goal #7) and Nepal's Intended Nationally Determined Commitments for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

ADB's Nepal country partnership strategy 20132017 supports the government's development objective of accelerated and inclusive economic growth. It seeks to address the infrastructure bottlenecks in the key areas such as energy services and creating an enabling environment for increased business and employment opportunities. ADB's support for the energy sector in Nepal has largely focused on generation and transmission with some distribution extension. This project will be ADB's first investment in Nepal specifically targeting energy efficiency through distribution system enhancements measures.

Reliable and efficient electricity supply for all achieved by 2030 (National Energy Crisis Reduction and Electricity Development)

Access to efficient, adequate, and high-quality power supply in the Kathmandu Valley improved

Transmission grid capacity to feed the primary distribution networks for the Kathmandu Valley strengthened

Kathmandu Valley distribution network rehabilitated and capacity increased

Operational and financial performance of NEA distribution centers enhanced

NEA's capacity to operate and manage an advanced distribution system and intelligent network (smart grid) technology with GESI aspects in electricity access and end-user awareness programs developed

Package A-1-Supply and Installation of 220kV Lapisiphedi Substation and 132kV Changunarayan Substation: Work is ongoing in all locations except for Lapsiphedi, which is disrupted due to construction from the local community. Works at Teku and Siuchatar is expected to complete by December 2022. NEA is discussing with the affected local communities of Lapsiphedi to resolve the issue and start physical works as early as possible.

Package A2: Supply and Installation 132kV GIS Substations at Kathmandu Valley: Work ongoing in Phutung and Thimi Substation. Work could not be initiated in the third location- Chovar due to obstruction from local communities. Works were earlier delayed for Phutung and Thimi Substation due to poor performance of the contractor, however, it is rectified after regular follow-up from NEA and it is expected to be complete by June 2023. Physical works at Chovar is also expected to commence by August 2022.

Package A3: Supply and Installation of 220kV GIS Substation in Barhabise:_Contour Survey, soil investigation, site leveling work, retaining wall, and boundary wall have been completed. The design of major equipment is finished except for the internal layout of 220 kV GIS equipment, the general layout of SS, relay protection panels, substation automation system (SAS), and communication system. Works substantially delayed for pre-engineering buildings with design/drawing for control room building and manufacturing quality plan still pending. NEA is regularly monitoring the contractor's performance to complete the works by December 2022.

Package B1: Enhancement of Distribution Networks in the Central Region of the Kathmandu Valley & Package B2: Enhancement of Distribution Networks in the Northern Region of the Kathmandu Valley

Works ongoing with physical progress of 61.5% (for Central Region) and 68.6% for (Northern Region). Works progress is delayed in road sections owned by the Department of Road due to delays in securing road cutting permits by NEA. Delays were also noted due to difficulties in placing distribution control panels along the footpaths. NEA agreed to remove the distribution control panels which are completely blocking the footpath.

Package C1- Supply and delivery of smart metering and associated facilities: All major activities including design, supply, and installation of smart meter and its associated systems completed. The smart meters are operational in households of Maharajgunj and Ratnapark distribution centers. NEA, however, yet to receive approval for use of the frequency band from the concerned authority. Discussion is currently ongoing between NEA, Ministry of Energy Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Communication, Information and Technology, and Ministry of Finance to resolve the issue.

Package C2 Supply and delivery of Distribution Transformers. Procurement of distribution transformer canceled after the winning bidder refused to sign the contract. NEA and ADB agreed to cancel this package and use the loan saving to procure a 132 kV GIS substation in Amlekhgunj given its potential contribution to (i) increasing internal electricity demand through easing the transmission bottleneck in Birgunj-Simara industrial corridor and (ii) providing reliable power supply for industries.

Various activities were carried out to enhance the capacity of NEA to operate and manage an advanced distribution system and intelligent network (smart grid) technology with GESI aspects in electricity access and end-user awareness programs. Utility management training was provided to 102 senior managers and officers of NEA. Training on new technological applications provided to 106 NEA engineers and planned for additional 50 numbers of engineers have been canceled due to Covid-19 risk. (i) 102 senior managers and officers were trained on topics like negotiations and public communications, contract and project management, key performance indicators, restructuring, and financial considerations. Out of a total, 19 (18.7%) staffs were women; (ii) Technical training for NEA staff from distribution centers was conducted with the participation of 106 staff out of which 9 (8.5%) are women; (iii) A hybrid training on approaches and practices to mainstream GESI as a resource person was conducted to 30 NEA/ESSD staff with 18 F (60%) participants. It has been agreed that NEA will complete the remaining two activities under the project's GESI action plan (not covered by TA attached to the loan), i.e., (i) providing energy efficiency and safety awareness training to 9,000 persons with 40% women participation, and (ii) conducting mass media campaigns on productive energy use & safe use of electricity in Kathmandu Valley and districts by November 2022.

All procurement of goods will be undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines 2015, as amended from time to time. Before start of any procurement, ADB and the government will review the public procurement laws of the central and state governments to ensure its consistency with ADB's Procurement Guidelines 2015, as amended from time to time.

The procurement scope under the project will be limited to procurement of goods for the substations, distribution system enhancement and smart meters. International Competitive Bidding (ICB) procedures would be adopted where the estimated tender value is above the threshold limit as defined in the procurement Plan, and National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures may be adopted for bids with an estimated value up to the threshold limit. NEA has sufficient capacity to design and implement these activities. NEA has also demonstrated good performance and track record with procurement of goods and works other similar activities and has sufficient knowledge of NCB procedures.