Citing dry season, NEA stops power exports to India

KATHMANDU: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has stopped exporting hydropower to India with the advent of the dry season.

As hydropower generation has been affected due to the reduction in water levels in major rivers, the power utility decided to stop power exports to India.

NEA started selling energy in the day-ahead market of the Indian Energy Exchange on June 2. The utility has sold 1.35 billion units of electricity worth around Rs 11.16 billion in the past six months.

The NEA sold 37.7 MW from Trishuli and Devighat hydropower projects, 140 MW from Kaligandaki Hydropower Project, 68 MW from Middle Marsyangdi, 67 MW from Marsyangdi, 51 MW from Likhu-4, 22.1 MW from Chilime; and 23.5 MW from Solukhola hydropower projects to India.

Though Nepal had proposed India to buy power generated by the 456-megawatt Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project, New Delhi refused Nepal’s proposal citing the involvement of a Chinese construction firm to build the project.

NEA plans to resume power exports to India in mid-April when water levels in rivers start to increase.