200 MW Electricity Wasted After NEA Cuts Industrial Power Lines
कात्तिक १३, २०८२ १६:३
Kathmandu: Electricity producers have claimed that nearly 200 megawatts of electricity are now being wasted after the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) disconnected power lines to major industries that failed to pay dues for dedicated and trunk lines.
Even before the disconnections, around 400 to 500 megawatts of electricity were being wasted daily due to various reasons. However, after NEA cut power to about two dozen large industries that consume significant amounts of electricity, an additional 200 megawatts are now going unused, according to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN).
IPPAN said that although the rainy season is ending, the dry season has not yet begun, meaning most hydropower projects are currently operating at full capacity. This is the time when projects usually generate enough revenue to cover annual loan payments to banks.
According to IPPAN data, electricity generated by the 84 MW Rahughat Hydropower Project and the 9.9 MW Eva Khola Power Project has been completely wasted due to NEA’s dispatch restrictions.
Similarly, the 71 MW Nilgiri-2 Hydropower Project has been instructed to operate at just 40 MW, the 28.1 MW Lowerproject at 14 MW, the 44 MW Super Madi Hydropower Project at 12–15 MW, and the 54 MW Super Dordi Hydropower Project at only 5–7 MW.
Producers argue that even before cutting industrial lines, NEA was not purchasing the full amount of electricity generated, despite a reduced national demand of around 500 MW. They warn that this has severely weakened the financial condition of hydropower companies.
Banks have invested heavily in hydropower, financing multiple projects. Until now, the sector had been one of the few with almost zero bad loans. However, IPPAN warned that the government’s recent actions could push hydropower projects toward loan defaults, blacklisting, and bankruptcy, potentially harming the broader economy.
At Tundi Power Company’s 84 MW Rahughat Project, General Manager Indra Dhakal confirmed that all generated electricity is being wasted.
Similarly, the 44 MW Super Madi Project in Kaski, previously operating at full capacity, is now selling only 12–15 MW to NEA, according to project operator Pushpa Jyoti Dhungana.
The 54 MW Super Dordi Project in Lamjung, which had long faced transmission line capacity issues, is now being forced to operate at minimal levels, generating only 5–7 MW, said project operator Arjun Gautam.
Sumit Shrestha, General Manager of Nilgiri Khola Hydropower Company, said their 71 MW project has also been limited to 40 MW of production.
Currently, Nepal’s total installed capacity has reached 3,700 megawatts, with the private sector contributing about 3,000 megawatts. However, total electricity consumption, including domestic use and exports, stands at only 2,700 to 2,800 megawatts.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: कात्तिक १३, २०८२ १६:३
