KATHMANDU: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has exported electricity worth Rs 12.5 billion to India within the first four months of the current financial year.

During this period, the NEA exported an impressive 1.36 billion 1.2 million units of electricity, marking a substantial increase from the corresponding period last year, 2079-80, with a surplus of four billion 864 million units.

This surge in electricity exports can be attributed to the strategic decision of the authority to sell surplus electricity generated during the rainy season in the Indian market, a practice initiated on June 28 of the current year.

Notably, between mid-May and mid-October, a staggering 1 billion 62 million 16 million units of electricity were exported, generating revenue amounting to Rs 14 billion 50 million 21 million.

Breaking down the figures for the four months, the NEA achieved noteworthy export amounts, with Rs. 2 billion 147.6 million in July, Rs.3.4785 million in August, Rs.4.1777 million in September, and Rs.2.697 million in October.

The overall average electricity sales rate for this four-month period stands at Rs 9.18 paise per unit, showcasing a substantial increase from the previous year’s average rate of Rs 7.776 paise per unit.

Kulman Ghising, the Executive Director of the Authority, announced that the electricity export contributed significantly to earning 7.848 million Indian rupees during these four months.

This achievement not only bolsters the country’s foreign exchange reserves but also helps in narrowing the trade deficit between Nepal and India.