Induction Course for

Engineers

Transmission Line Construction

Practices

Mr. Pemba Dukpa

Sr. Project Manager
400kV TL Project Office, BPC, Tsirang
Day 1 Session - 1

Introduction on electric power transmission

lines
An overhead power line is a structure used

in electric power transmission and

distribution to transmit electrical energy
along large distances. It consists of one or
more conductors
A major goal of overhead power line design
is to maintain adequate clearance between
energized conductors and the ground.
Today overhead lines are routinely
operated at voltages up to 400kV for
Bhutan.

Route Selection

Survey

Right of Way

Geo-tech & Soil Investigation

Environment Impact Assessment

Access Road

Route Selection

Basic Concept

Generation and transmission network

GENERATION
Electricity is generated at
various kinds of power plants
by utilities and independent
power producers.

TRANSMISSION
Electric transmission
is the vital link between
power production
and power usage.
Transmission lines
carry electricity at
high voltages over
long distances
from power plants
to communities

SUBSTATIO
N
DISTRIBUTION
Electricity from transmission
lines is reduced to lower
voltages
at substations, and distribution

SUBSTATIO
N

Importance of Survey
Objectives to optimize the cost of
transmission line & Minimize Construction
difficulties

The following are critical

cost factor

foundations

length of route

aesthetics and environment

Importance of Survey

Shortest route clearing various objects

Minimum number of river crossing towers

Accessibility i.e. from approachability for

construction as well as from law and order
point of view.

Importance of Survey

Selection of optimum foundations based on

following information

Type of soil
Type of terrain: Benching and revetment requirements,
requirements of leg extensions

Loose hills especially in young Himalayan region, areas

prone to landslides

Area of submergence as well as prone to river

meandering

Importance of Survey

It helps in ensuring the statutory clearances with

respect to following:

Power line crossings, Railway crossings, road crossings etc.

Clearances from habitation

Environmental clearances

Minimum forests, minimum forests density

Historically important areas and monuments

National Parks and wild life sanctuaries

General Construction Practices in Survey

Bee Line Diagram

Straight line connecting two points i.e., from

generation point to Sub Station point.

most suitable route is chosen based on

voltage, conductor, tower specification

topographical maps
cadastral maps
town planning schemes
aerial photos
local Authorities advice
other Government Departments advice
ground reconnaissance Walk over survey

Bee Line Construction

Starting Point
/ Generation
Point

Transmission
Route Line
70KM
(OPTION II)

Transmission
Route Line
65KM
(OPTION I)

Transmission
Route Line
85KM
(OPTION III)

BEE LINE
52.41KM

Road Distance
133km (Blue Line)

Substation / Step
Down Point /
Distribution Point

General Construction Practices in Survey

Route maps are prepared based on

latest cadastral information

number of lines proposed

easement widths

current land use

Route Selection

Survey

Right of Way

Geo-tech & Soil Investigation

Environment Impact Assessment

Access Road

Right of Way - ROW

Right of Way - ROW

Right of Way - ROW

Right of Way - ROW

Right-of-Way (ROW) is the land required for

Construction

Operation

Maintenance of a transmission line

Right of Way - ROW

If route is passing through private land then

ROW easements will be acquired from

landowners after a final route has been
approved

RoW at Ngadala for 66kV Line

Route Selection

Survey

Right of Way

Geo-tech & Soil Investigation

Environment Impact Assessment

Access Road

What is Geo Tech ?

To know the soil properties

Whether the particular site is suitable for the

purpose

To know the history of the site

To know what remedies need to be put in

place before construction can start based on
the soil properties

Geo Tech & Soil Investigation

To know the Soil properties, test and

procedure will be done at site and lab

Soil Investigation At Site

Drilling of boreholes

Soil Investigation At Site

Soil samples at various level

Soil Investigation - SPT

Soil Investigation - SPT

Aim to determine the SPT N-value, which gives

an indication of the soil stiffness.

Bore Log Sheet

RQD Rock Quality Designation

CR Core Recovery in %

Procedure for Calculating RQD

Route Selection

Survey

Right of Way

Geo-tech & Soil Investigation

Environment Impact Assessment

Access Road

Environment Impact Assessment - EIA

EIA is a tool used to identify
the environmental, social
and
economic impacts of a
project prior to decisionmaking.

EIA - Aim

EIA aims to predict environmental

impacts at an early stage in project planning and

design, finding ways and means to reduce the
adverse impacts, shaping projects to suit the local
environment, and presenting options to decisionmakers.

EIA - Process

The EIA process comprises of six key steps:

Screening

1.

whether an EIA is required for a project ?

effective tool to prevent the squandering of time and

money on assessing projects with insignificant
environmental impacts

Scoping

2.

SCOPING HELPS FIND ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS LIKE:

What are the issues to be addressed?

How should one proceed with the EIA or EA study?
What is the extent of the analysis needed?
What is the infrastructure needed?
What kind of people should be involved in the assessment?

EIA - Process

The EIA process comprises of six key steps:

Baseline data generation

3.

Baseline data provides a detailed description of the

existing status of various environmental and social
components in the study area

Impact assessment

4.

Characteristics of potential impacts are identified,

predicted and evaluated using the baseline information
on one hand and the features of the project on the other
(cause-effect relationship)

EIA - Process

The EIA process comprises of six key steps:

Mitigation of impacts

5.

the possible preventive, remedial and compensatory measures

for each adverse impact are determined and recommended

Environment Management Plan

6.

It is a part of the EIA reporting process. It translates

recommended mitigation and monitoring measures into
specific actions that have to be carried out by the proponent.

Impact during the construction phase

Activities /
Issues

Potential Impacts

Land acquisition

Displacement and loss of livelihood.

Loss of common properties.
Impacts on indigenous people, if applicable.

Site clearing

Civil works

Loss of scenic value of the landscape

Fugitive dust and other emissions (e.g. from
vehicle traffic, land clearing activities, and
materials stockpiles)
Noise from heavy equipment and truck traffic;
Occupational hazard and annoyance to local
residents

Change in land use pattern

Land degradation
Landslides due to slope failure.
Erosion and loss of topsoil
Site runoff increases sediment load in the nearby
water bodies.
Impact on natural drain

Impact during the construction phase

Activities /
Issues

Potential Impacts

Biodiversity

Influx of
construction
workers

Pressure on local resource.

Fragmentation of forested habitat;

Loss of habitat;
Establishment of non-native invasive plant species;
Visual and auditory disturbance due to the
presence of machinery, construction workers,
transmission towers, and associated equipment
Transmission lines may also lead to forest fires if
underlying growth is left unchecked or slash from
routine maintenance is allowed to accumulate
within Right-of-Way may pose forest fires
Electrocution and collision of birds

Impact during the construction phase

Activities /
Issues

Potential Impacts

Potential
impacts during
project
operation

Aesthetic impact
Surface water or groundwater contamination due
to spills and leakages of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs) from transformers etc
Ozone generation during transmission line
operation
Potential risk includes (a) Live power lines (b)
Working at height (c) Electric and magnetic fields
(d) Exposure to chemicals

Route Selection

Survey

Right of Way

Geo-tech & Soil Investigation

Environment Impact Assessment

Access Road

Access Road Construction Process

Access Road Full Bench Section

Access Road Full Bench Section

Access Road Through Cut Section

Access Road Grade measurement

Access Road Elements for successful

combination

a road which is right for the harvesting

operation;
a road which is capable of safely carrying the
haulage traffic;
a road which does not interfere with the
natural drainage patterns
a road which does not damage the landscape
a road which takes account of the flora and
fauna;
a road which can be satisfactorily and
economically maintained are included.