KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has revealed that Nepal is still facing load shedding, even during the evening hours, despite the previous claims of no power cuts.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Minister Khadka explained that although domestic power production is about 1,000 megawatts, Nepal is currently importing 830 megawatts from India, which is not enough to meet the demand.
Minister Khadka pointed out that although the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had formally ended load shedding, industries continue to face power cuts, highlighting ongoing issues with the energy supply. He also stated that the situation of power shortages is becoming more challenging due to Nepal’s increasing dependence on electricity imports from India.
In his address, the minister questioned the claims made by NEA’s Managing Director Kulman Ghising, particularly regarding the electricity authority’s reported profits. Minister Khadka dismissed these claims, asserting that they were not based on truth, and added that the NEA’s bank account had been frozen due to unpaid dues related to the Chameliya Hydropower Project.
Minister Khadka also raised concerns about the power sector’s sustainability, noting that while the Electricity Authority was able to produce 700 megawatts out of the 3,500 megawatts expected during the rainy season, the remaining electricity was generated by the private sector.
He underscored that Nepal’s reliance on private production and electricity imports from India has led to the current energy crisis, further exacerbating the country’s power supply challenges.
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