Kathmandu, December 23

The state-owned Nepal Electricity Authority has signed an agreement with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, a wholly owned subsidiary of India’s state-owned National Thermal Power Corporation, to purchase additional 80 megawatts of electricity via Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar cross-border transmission line.

The power purchase agreement was signed by NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising and NVVN Chief Executive Officer Arun Kumar Garg, under the same terms and conditions including the power purchase rate of INR 3.60 (Rs 5.76) per kWh that were agreed upon in February, according to Prabal Adhikari, chief of the Power Trade Department of NEA.

Currently NEA has been importing 80 MW via Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar. “The quantum of electricity will be increased up to 120 MW via Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar from January 1 and up to 160 MW from February to May-end,” Adhikari told THT.

Additional power import from India was possible after the Power Grid Corporation of India recently installed 100 MVA transformer in Muzaffarpur sub-station.

NEA has said there would be 40 MW round-the-clock power supplied to Hetauda region from Dhalkebar so that the power utility can transfer power evacuated from Trishuli (21 MW) and Devighat (14 MW) hydropower projects that is being supplied to the Hetauda region to Kathmandu.

According to Adhikari, NEA is also preparing to import additional 220 MW of electricity (including the 80 MW from Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar) on top of the total 300 MW power being imported from India.

As Kusaha-Kataiya and Parwanipur-Raxaul transmission lines are being upgraded under the grant assistance of the Indian government, which is expected to be completed within a month, the country is planning to import additional 50 MW through each of the transmission lines.

Likewise, NEA is preparing to import additional 40 MW from Mahendranagar-Tanakpur as well.