Kathmandu, May 2: The duration of electricity import from neighboring India to Nepal has been extended by four hours. This extension allows electricity imported via the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) to be supplied from 2 AM to 5 PM, instead of the previous 6 AM to 5 PM window.
According to Hitendra Dev Shakya, Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), this change applies to the 600 MW of electricity being supplied through the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur 400 kV cross-border transmission line.
With this decision, uninterrupted electricity supply to industrial areas will now be ensured until 5 PM. Although domestic hydropower production has seen a notable increase due to rising water flow in rivers and streams, NEA states that imports from India remain essential to meet the high industrial demand.
Executive Director Shakya emphasized that the NEA has prioritized the stable and reliable supply of electricity to industrial zones. He also noted that while domestic generation cannot currently meet total demand, efforts have been made to import power from India—even at maximum market rates—to resolve issues faced by industrial consumers.
The NEA has expressed its gratitude to the Indian government for extending the electricity import window by four hours during a time when Nepal’s internal production alone cannot meet demand. #nepal #india #electricity
