Wheeling charge should be scientific and investment-friendly: IPPAN
Summary
IPPAN has urged the government and the Electricity Regulatory Commission to make the wheeling charge for using Nepal’s power transmission grid more scientific and investment-friendly. Industry leaders warned that the current rate could hurt hydropower project returns, deter new investment and weaken competitiveness, while the ERC said the charge can be reviewed as more data becomes available.
Key Points
- IPPAN says the current wheeling charge could reduce project viability and discourage private investment in hydropower and electricity trading.
- IPPAN President Mohan Kumar Dangi called for a scientific, practical and investment-friendly rate and more consultations on the calculation method.
- ERC chair Ram Prasad Dhital said the existing open-access transmission charge was based on available data and can be revised with better methodology.
- Speakers also stressed the need for disaster-resilient energy infrastructure after recent flood damage to hydropower projects.
