Nepal Faces Potential Loadshedding Amidst Import Reliance and Infrastructure Damage
Summary
Nepal faces a renewed risk of loadshedding this winter as hydropower output drops, flood damage disrupts transmission lines, and electricity imports from India remain uncertain. The Nepal Electricity Authority says it plans to import more than 1,100 megawatts and use Kulekhani and new substations to avoid power cuts.
Key Points
- Nepal Electricity Authority says winter demand could reach about 2,300 megawatts, while domestic production will fall to around 1,218 megawatts.
- The authority plans to import 1,154 megawatts from India through multiple cross-border lines and agreements, but approval for round-the-clock imports remains uncertain.
- Floods and landslides have damaged hydropower projects and transmission lines, affecting roughly 1,000 megawatts of capacity.
- Kulekhani, new substations, and the Dhalkebar-Hetauda transmission line are part of the backup strategy to prevent loadshedding.
