The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has received authorization to import an additional 350 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Initially, the NEA had requested approval to import 600 MW, comprising 450 MW from Bihar and 150 MW from Uttar Pradesh. However, the Indian government has approved 300 MW from Bihar via the Raxaul-Parwanipur, Kushaha-Kataiya, and Gandak-Ramnagar transmission lines, and 50 MW from Uttar Pradesh via the Mainahia-Sampatia transmission line.
This approval adds to the previously granted import capacity of 654 MW through the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line.
The NEA imports electricity from India to address shortages during the winter months when hydropower production declines. Most of Nepal’s electricity is generated through run-of-the-river hydropower projects, which produce significantly less power in winter, reducing output to about one-third of the total capacity.
Chandan Kumar Ghosh, spokesperson for the NEA and head of the Load Dispatch Center (LDC), noted that load management remains a challenge during peak hours. While load management is stable at other times, peak hour shortages necessitate electricity imports to meet demand.
During the monsoon season, the NEA capitalizes on surplus electricity by exporting power to India. This seasonal exchange highlights the interdependence of Nepal’s hydropower sector and regional electricity trade.
