Opinion | New head, old headache
Summary
Nepal has ended hours-long power cuts and progressed in electricity generation and energy exports, but recent disputes between the energy minister and NEA chiefs threaten this progress.
Key Points
- Nepal ended hours-long residential load-shedding in 2017, marking significant progress for the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
- Nepal has transitioned from importing electricity from India to exporting energy to India and Bangladesh.
- Disputes between the Energy Minister Dipak Khadka and NEA chiefs have caused operational difficulties and budget issues within NEA.
- Interference by the Energy Minister and support for industrialists defaulting on NEA bills risk weakening the energy sector's progress.
