KATHMANDU: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) exported power worth Rs 15.4 billion to India during monsoon season this year.
NEA starting exporting surplus electricity to India from June 1, 2023. The NEA sold over 1.7 billion units of electricity, amounting to Rs 15.4 billion, to India between June 1 and December 6, 2023. A maximum of 700 megawatts of power was sold daily at Rs 8.77 per unit.
Data reveals that over Rs 13.2 billion worth of electricity was sold in the five months from the Nepali months of Shrawan (July-August) to Mangsir 20 (December 6). During this period, more than 1.47 billion units were exported to India at Rs 8.96 per unit.
However, due to a decrease in electricity production resulting from reduced water flow in the rivers during the dry season, the demand for internal consumption has increased, leading to the commencement of power imports from the Indian market. Consequently, the export will come to a halt from tonight, NEA has said.
“The import of electricity from India has begun as domestic production is insufficient to meet the demand at home, NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising said, adding that the peak demand has reached 1,700 megawatts. “Now, production and demand are at an equal level. We are operating our semi-reservoir-based powerhouses during peak hours in the evening and morning after filling during noon and night.”
According to NEA, power imported during peak hours is costlier, while it is relatively cheaper during noon and night. “So, we will import electricity during lean hours,” he added.
This year, Nepal is projected to be an exporter of electricity, despite a slight increase in imports in the Nepali months of Chaitra (March-April) and Baisakh (April-May). “Export will resume from the second week of Baisakh (last week of April 2024). This year, around 900 megawatts of electricity are being added to the national grid. Similarly, next year, power worth approximately Rs 25 billion will be exported,” Ghising added.
Ghising also said powerful transmission lines are being constructed to improve transmission operations between the two countries. “On the other hand, new hydropower projects are coming up in 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,” he added.
