Dhading - After years of frequent power cuts triggered even by minor windstorms, Dhading district has finally stepped out of chronic electricity problems with the operation of the newly built 132 kV Malekhu Substation. The infrastructure, constructed by Huaxin Narayani Cement Industry with its own investment, has significantly improved the reliability and quality of power supply across the district.
For decades, residents and businesses in Dhading had complained about unstable voltage, damaged electrical appliances, and long hours of darkness whenever storms disrupted the old transmission lines. Despite numerous towers crisscrossing the hills, the district remained deprived of dependable electricity. Locals had repeatedly sought action from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and political representatives.
Industry Investment That Catalyzed District-Wide Improvement
Huaxin Narayani Cement Industry, established in coordination with the Investment Board Nepal, built the 132 kV substation at Siddhalekh Rural Municipality-6 near Malekhu. Although the reimbursement process from the government is pending, the company invested upfront to ensure power availability for its plant and surrounding areas.
Deputy General Manager of the company, Dilliraj Pokharel, said the substation has delivered broader benefits beyond industrial needs. “The infrastructure we built has now become an asset for the entire district,” he noted.
A Technical Breakthrough for Dhading’s Power System
According to substation in-charge Bishwajeet Yadav, Dhading previously depended solely on electricity transmitted from Salyantar to Dhadingbesi through a long, low-capacity line. The system had no alternative route, causing repeated outages and voltage fluctuations.
“With the commissioning of the Malekhu Substation, power restoration has become faster, voltage quality has improved, and supply has stabilized even during adverse weather,” Yadav said.
The NEA has also strengthened distribution networks across the district using the same infrastructure. The Dhading Distribution Center, which currently serves 66,180 consumers, said it is preparing to supply fully reliable electricity to the entire district within a few months.
Boost to Hydropower Evacuation and Local Industrialization
The Rs. 1.5-billion facility has also created a reliable evacuation point for multiple hydropower projects, including:
4.5 MW Development Hydropower
4.98 MW Richet Hydropower
2 MW Upper Richet
8 MW Aankhukhola Hydropower
These projects can now feed power into the grid smoothly through Baseri, Salyantar and eventually Malekhu.
The industry has also built a 14-km transmission line from the substation to its plant in Taldi, and a 132 kV/10 kV internal substation. When operating at full capacity, the cement industry consumes up to 20 MW.
Local Development and Employment Gains
Beyond electricity, the presence of Huaxin Cement has boosted socio-economic activities in Benighat–Rorang Rural Municipality. Chairperson Krishna Bahadur Thapaliya said the industry has helped accelerate local infrastructure, expand employment opportunities, increase sales of agricultural produce, and stimulate hotel and service businesses.
The plant has a production capacity of 3,000 metric tons of cement per day and provides 350 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs. It was established through direct foreign investment after an agreement signed in 2018 between the Investment Board Nepal and Huaxin Cement representatives.
A Turning Point for Dhading
Dhading’s electricity system long suffered from aged lines and limited capacity, with power previously imported from Devighat in Nuwakot. Even light storms would cause outages, leaving communities without power for hours. The new substation has not only solved these persistent issues but also paved the way for future industrialization in the district.
With Nepal’s current annual cement demand standing at around 4 million metric tons and national production capacity at 5.5 million metric tons, investments like Huaxin Cement are seen as key contributors to strengthening local economies and national infrastructure.
