KATHMANDU: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has announced power cuts for the industrial sector during peak hours until the 456-megawatt Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project resumes operation.
The decision comes in response to increased electricity demand during winter and reduced production from hydropower plants.
As winter sets in, water levels in rivers and streams, which power run-of-river hydropower plants, are expected to decrease by one-third. Additionally, NEA cannot import electricity from India during peak hours (5 pm to 9 pm), leading to supply challenges.
Kulman Ghising, NEA’s Executive Director, explained that while household consumers will not face power cuts, industries will experience disruptions during peak hours. He said that incessant rainfall in September damaged structures at the Upper Tamakoshi, delaying power generation.
Repairs are ongoing, and the project is expected to resume production by December 25, allowing for four hours of full-capacity operation during peak demand.
Although India has permitted Nepal to import up to 654 MW of electricity daily, imports are restricted to non-peak hours. This constraint has added to the pressure on Nepal’s power supply.
Recent damage to transmission lines also disrupted supply to industrial hubs like Bara, Parsa, and Kailali. However, NEA has since repaired these lines and restored power. Ghising assured that repair work on Upper Tamakoshi is progressing swiftly, aiming to stabilize the power supply soon.
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