Kathmandu, Dec 22: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) exported electricity worth Rs 13.04 billion to India during the first five months of the current fiscal year 2080/81 BS (2024/25).
NEA exported 1.76 billion units of surplus electricity to India after meeting domestic consumption in the months of Shrawan, Bhadra, Ashoj, Kartik, and Mangsir. The average export price per unit was Rs 7.39 during this period.
NEA has been selling surplus electricity to the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) under the ‘Day Ahead’ and ‘Real-Time Market’ mechanisms and through bilateral medium-term agreements with Haryana and Bihar states. The revenue from electricity exports is received in Indian Rupees (INR), amounting to INR 8.15 billion.
The highest electricity export occurred in Shrawan, amounting to Rs 4.15 billion, while Mangsir saw the lowest, at Rs 281.4 million. Electricity exports in Bhadra, Ashoj, and Kartik were valued at Rs 3.68 billion, Rs 3.07 billion, and Rs 1.87 billion, respectively.
NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising explained that the export was affected due to floods and landslides in Ashoj, which damaged the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Plant, causing a halt in production. This also led to reduced exports in subsequent months. Additionally, as the dry season began, the production from hydropower projects decreased, leading to earlier-than-expected imports this year.
Currently, electricity exports have been halted, and imports have begun. However, exports are expected to resume once water levels in rivers and streams increase. For the first time this year, 40 MW of electricity has also been exported to Bangladesh via India.
The target for electricity export in the current fiscal year is Rs 30 billion. However, the export target may be impacted due to damages caused by floods and landslides to hydropower projects and transmission lines. The Upper Tamakoshi, along with smaller hydropower projects and the Kabeli Corridor Transmission Line, suffered significant damage. Floods in the Mai River affected the Kabeli Corridor, shutting down around 200 MW of connected projects and disrupting exports in the Nepali month of Ashoj and Kartik.
Efforts are underway to repair the Upper Tamakoshi, which is expected to resume operations by December 25 (Poush 10). The reconstruction of the Kabeli Corridor Transmission Line has been completed, and it is now operational. However, with the onset of winter and reduced water flow in rivers, electricity production from hydropower projects will decrease, resulting in a gradual decline in exports.
NEA has received approval to sell 941 MW of electricity from 28 projects in India through competitive markets and medium-term power sales agreements.
In the last fiscal year, Nepal imported electricity worth Rs 16.93 billion from India while exporting electricity worth Rs 17.06 billion. For the first time, Nepal transitioned from being a net electricity importer to a net exporter, with exports exceeding imports by Rs 130 million. #nepal #electricity #india #export
