KATHMANDU, JUNE 18

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has clarified that it is not crimping on power supply within the nation to export electricity to India.

Addressing a press conference today, NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising informed that the recent technical disruptions in the power system that affected electricity supply in the central and western regions of the country have been resolved.

'Contrary to the rumours, it is not true that we export electricity by cutting the domestic supply. We solely export the surplus electricity that is generated within the country, aligning with the consumption pattern. If we fail to sell the excess electricity, it would result in losses amounting to billions of rupees for the authority,' Ghising explained.

'It is indeed true that we have experienced certain disruptions in the system over the past few days, with approximately 11 tripping incidents being identified daily. However, the system has now been stabilised.'

Referring to the limited capacity of the transmission and distribution system, Ghising mentioned some issues in electricity supply during the peak hours in the industrial corridor of Birgunj and the Kohalpur area, but clarified that there had been no deliberate power cuts for the purpose of exporting power.

He emphasised that the implementation of plans and programmes aimed at enhancing the transmission and distribution system has encountered obstacles from various sources.

'Amidst nationwide efforts to enhance the transmission and distribution system, the obstruction in installing transformers within individual premises poses a hindrance to the objective of supplying reliable and high-quality electricity. Unless this situation is rectified, effective power management beyond the upcoming year would not be possible,' he added.

With just a 132 kV transmission line available for power supply in the East- West region, there are concerns regarding the capability to meet the area's electricity demand. The completion of the Inaruwa-Dhalkebar-Hetauda 400 kV and Hetauda-Bharatpur-Bardghat-New Butwal 220 kV transmission line projects have been hindered by local obstructions, an interim order from the Supreme Court, and delays in obtaining tree cutting approvals. As a result, electricity supply in the region faces challenges, he added.

NEA MD Ghising mentioned that even after the lapse of four to five years since the decision was made by the Cabinet for tree-cutting in the Kali Gandaki Corridor and Bardghat-New Butwal transmission line, its execution has not been possible.

Ghising highlighted the urgent need for increased investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure to meet domestic electricity consumption and facilitate electricity export.

He further stressed that although load-shedding has been eliminated, an investment of approximately billion rupees over the next five years is essential to boost consumption and support electricity export.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 19, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.