NEA to Increase Power Import from India to Avoid Load-shedding in Winter

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is going to increase its import of electricity from India. This decision was taken after its plan to purchase 20 million LED bulbs to decrease electricity became uncertain; a case about the issue is currently sub-judice at the Supreme Court. So, it has to import more power to avoid load shedding in the coming winter.

NEA says that it has sufficient electricity for the rainy season as the water level has gone up in most of the rivers. But, it needs to prepare for the winter season.

Currently, Nepal is importing 250 megawatt electricity from India. The current amount is 75 megawatt less than the average import during the same season last year.

Prabal Adhikari, NEA spokesperson, said that Chameliya Hydropower Project will begin generating 30 megawatt power from early October and it will also give some relief to the NEA.

Private projects are helpful but most of the private projects in Nepal are run-off-the-river and will not produce much power during the winter season.

So, NEA will have to import more power from India this winter season.