KATHMANDU, APRIL 23
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has stated that the issue of power supply in regions like the Sunsari Morang Industrial Corridor of Koshi Province is short-term.
Following concerns raised by industrialists regarding unexpected power cuts to their factories, Kulman Ghising, the managing director of the authority, assured that the problem in the region will be resolved within 10 to 15 days and urged industrialists to be patient.
During a press conference today, Ghising revealed that electricity production from hydropower projects has dropped by around 30 per cent this year due to low water levels in the rivers.
He also mentioned that the transmission line's capacity to supply electricity from the Dhalkebar substation to the eastern parts of the country, including Dhanusha, has been inadequate. "Furthermore, the Rupni substation in Saptari has been damaged, and there is a disruption in the Kataiya-Kushhawa 132 kV transmission line from Bihar state in India, resulting in the import of electricity being affected," he added.
As per MD Ghising, the combined installed capacity of hydropower projects constructed in Taplejung, Panchthar, and Ilam is approximately 200 MW, but currently, due to low water levels in the river, only about 30 MW of electricity is being transmitted through the transmission line in the Kabeli corridor.
However, in the last few days, there has been an increase in electricity production from these projects, which has resulted in the maintenance of regular electricity supply for industries, Ghising informed.
"Industries have been receiving regular electricity supply through the Kabeli Corridor as electricity production has increased. Hence, we are facing a temporary issue at present, not a major problem," he remarked.
"It is estimated that the pre-monsoon season is expected to begin within the next 10 to 15 days, resulting in increased water flow in the river. Consequently, there will be a rise in electricity production, and from mid-May, excess electricity generated will be exported to India. We hope to export around 1,200 megawatts of electricity this year and have already submitted a list of programmes for approval to the Indian authorities for export clearance," he informed.
As per the NEA, the current maximum demand for electricity in the system has reached 1,750 megawatts. The average demand is around 1,300 megawatts, and the base demand is approximately 1,275 megawatts. However, the load for irrigation has significantly increased due to the rise in temperature in the Tarai region.
In the Anarmani area to Damak in Jhapa alone, there is a demand for 80 megawatts of electricity.
To meet the current demand, the authority is operating the Kulekhani reservoir at full capacity 24 hours a day. In addition, an average of 500 megawatts of electricity is being imported daily due to insufficient domestic production.
The authority estimates that only around 14 per cent of the installed capacity of private sector hydropower plants, excluding the authority's power houses, is currently being utilised for electricity generation.
Ghising stated that the construction of the Dhalkebar-Inaruwa 400 kV transmission line and the Hetauda-Bharatpur-Bardghat-Naya Butwal 220 kV transmission line is underway and they are striving to complete them as soon as possible, in anticipation of any issues that may arise during the upcoming summer season.
He further added that once these transmission lines are completed, there will be no issues with the transmission of electricity for the eastern and western regions from Dhalkebar.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 24, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
