December 8: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) exported electricity worth Rs 15.4 billion to India during this year’s monsoon. As per the agreement, the NEA started exporting surplus electricity to India from June 1, 2023. Accordingly, the NEA sold over 1.7 billion units of electricity worth Rs 15.4 billion to India between June 1 and December 6, 2023. A maximum of 700 megawatts of electricity was sold on a daily basis at Rs 8.77 per unit.
However, following the decrease in the production of electricity as a result of the decrease in the water flow in the rivers in the dry season, the demand for internal consumption has increased resulting in the commencement of the import of power from the Indian market. So, the export will come to a halt from tonight, the NEA said.
The import of electricity from India has started as the domestic production is not enough to meet the demand at home, said NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising, adding that the current daily demand for power is a maximum of 1700 megawatts across the country.
"Now, the production and demand are at the equal level. We are operating our semi-reservoir-based power houses during the peak hours in the evening and morning after filling them in the noon and night," he said.
"The import of electricity during the peak hours is costlier, and it is relatively cheap during noon and night. So, electricity will be purchased outside the peak hours."
According to Ghising, the export will resume from the second week of Baisakh (last week of April, 2024).
“This year, around 900 megawatts electricity is being added to the national grid. Similarly, next year, power worth approximately Rs 25 billion will be exported. High-powered transmission lines are being constructed for improving the transmission of electricity between the two countries. On the other hand, hydropower projects are being built within the country. In this context, a climate is being created wherein electricity worth around Rs 100 billion will be exported in the next five years."
