Industrial power cuts expected to continue

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has announced that industrial customers will face power cuts during evening peak hours until the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project resumes operations. The project, which was damaged by flooding and landslides on Sept 27 and 28, has been temporarily shut down.

NEA Managing Director Kul Man Ghising stated that managing power supply during winter has become challenging due to the closure of the 456 MW-capacity Upper Tamakoshi Project, the largest hydroelectric facility connected to the National Transmission Grid.

He explained that power cuts are necessary for industrial customers during evening peak hours, as electricity demand surges and supply management becomes difficult. However, NEA assured that power supply to other customers will remain unaffected.

The NEA clarified that these cuts are exacerbated by a seasonal drop in electricity production from run-of-the-river hydropower projects, which generate one-third less power in winter due to reduced water flow. Additionally, the NEA has been unable to import sufficient electricity from India to meet peak-hour domestic demand.

Repair and maintenance work at the Upper Tamakoshi Project is underway, with power generation expected to resume by Dec 25.

To address winter demand, the Central Electricity Authority of India has permitted Nepal to import up to 654 MW of electricity daily until 15 March 2025. This includes 600 MW via the 400 kV Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur Cross-border Transmission Line and 54 MW via the 132 kV Tanakpur-Mahendranagar Transmission Line.

However, electricity imports are restricted during peak hours (5 pm to 9 pm), further complicating power supply management, the NEA added.