Nepal to avoid load-shedding despite India’s power supply restrictions

KATHMANDU: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has confirmed that, despite India imposing control over electricity supply starting Sunday (today), there will be no load-shedding in Nepal.

India has announced that, from March 16, it will provide electricity to Nepal only during the day (solar hours), specifically from 6 AM to 6 PM, via the Indian Energy Exchange.

Outside of this period, India will not be able to supply electricity. Although there are concerns that power management could lead to load-shedding during non-solar hours, the NEA has reassured that proper and efficient management will prevent any such situation.

“There are some fears about load-shedding, but we have already made necessary arrangements to manage electricity supply outside solar hours. The rumors of load-shedding are unnecessary,” clarified Kulman Ghising, the Executive Director of NEA.

The recent winter snowfall in the Himalayan region has resulted in increased water flow in the rivers, boosting power generation from hydropower plants.

Additionally, favorable weather conditions have reduced the need for household heating or air conditioning, further easing power management.

“We are fully capable of managing around 1,700 MW of electricity during peak hours and supplying power to the general public,” said Chandan Kumar Ghosh, the spokesperson for NEA. “Due to limitations in the supply system, some industries might face power shortages during peak hours, but industries are not expected to operate at full capacity during peak times.”

NEA has planned to store water in reservoirs and semi-reservoir plants throughout the day to generate electricity at full capacity during peak hours. The recently reconstructed Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower project, which was damaged last October, has resumed operations at full capacity, making it easier for NEA to manage power supply.

During peak hours, NEA will rely on 456 MW from Upper Tamakoshi, 144 MW from Kali Gandaki, and 106 MW from the Kulekhani plants, all of which will be managed as per the existing strategy.

Historically, NEA has avoided importing expensive electricity from the Indian Energy Exchange during peak hours.

Additionally, based on the bilateral agreements between Nepal and India, NEA manages electricity supply during peak hours through various transmission lines.

Challenges Looming in 15 Days

While the current electricity management situation is under control, NEA predicts challenges starting from April 2025 (Chait 19).

A recent meeting in New Delhi on February 13 resulted in a new electricity exchange agreement between Nepal and India, extending until March 2026.

The agreement includes a 1.5% price increase for electricity imports and exports.

However, this agreement has yet to be approved by NEA’s board and must also be ratified by the Electricity Regulatory Commission.

If the agreement is not approved by April 1 and the Indian side is not informed, the bilateral electricity exchange will halt.

This would disrupt regular electricity imports via transmission lines such as 132 kV Katihiya-Kusaha, Ramnagar-Bardaghat, Raxaul-Parwanipur, and Mainiya-Sampattiya-Butwal, affecting power supply to industrial zones like Biratnagar Baraparsa Industrial Corridor, Bhairahawa, and Butwal.

NEA has highlighted that if the agreement is not finalized, these areas could face significant electricity supply issues.