Evening power cuts for industries until Upper Tamakoshi reoperates

KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 17: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has announced that industrial customers will face evening power cuts until the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project resumes operation. The project, with a capacity of 456 MW, was damaged by flooding and landslides on September 27 and 28.

NEA Managing Director Kul Man Ghising stated that managing power supply during winter has become challenging due to the shutdown of Upper Tamakoshi, the largest hydropower project connected to the national grid.

Ghising explained that power supply to industrial customers had to be reduced during peak evening hours when electricity demand surges. While there will be temporary power cuts for industries with high energy demands, supply to other consumers will remain unaffected.

NEA clarified that power production from run-of-the-river hydropower projects drops to one-third of their capacity in winter as water levels in rivers and streams decline. Additionally, NEA has been unable to import electricity from India during peak hours to offset domestic shortages.

Repair and maintenance of the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project are ongoing, with the goal of resuming power generation by December 25.

To help manage winter demand, the Central Electricity Authority of India has permitted NEA to import up to 654 MW daily until March 15, 2025. This includes 600 MW through the 400 kV Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur Cross-border Transmission Line and 54 MW through the 132 kV Tanakpur-Mahendranagar Transmission Line. However, as per the agreement, electricity cannot be imported during peak hours from 5 PM to 9 PM.