Darkness on the horizon: Why Nepal’s winter power supply hangs in balance
Summary
Nepal faces a tight winter power balance as falling river flows, flood damage to hydropower projects, and transmission bottlenecks threaten domestic supply. The Nepal Electricity Authority plans to import 1,154 megawatts from India to avoid a return to load-shedding.
Key Points
- Winter electricity generation in Nepal is expected to fall sharply as river flows drop, while demand is projected to reach 2,250–2,300 megawatts.
- The Nepal Electricity Authority says it is preparing to import 1,154 megawatts from India through multiple transmission lines and market purchases.
- Floods and landslides this monsoon damaged hydropower projects, transmission lines, access roads, and other energy infrastructure.
- Experts say Nepal must prioritize domestic consumption and strengthen transmission and demand management to avoid winter shortages.
