NewsPolar AI
- NEA is currently facing a difficult situation—not due to financial losses but because of weak infrastructure
- The current transmission and distribution systems are unable to handle even 3,500 megawatts of electricity
- In future, it will become more difficult to secure low-interest loans
- Foreign aid alone will not be sufficient to sustain Nepal’s growing energy needs: Shakya
Kathmandu, June 13: Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Mr Hitendra Dev Shakya, has stated that the NEA is currently facing a difficult situation—not due to financial losses but because of weak infrastructure that has hampered efficient service delivery.
Speaking at the 13th General Convention of the Nepal Electricity Authority Employees Union held in Kathmandu on Friday, MD Shakya explained that both the transmission and distribution systems are under severe strain. He emphasized that the NEA’s challenges stem from inadequate investment in electricity infrastructure over the years.
“The current transmission and distribution systems are unable to handle even 3,500 megawatts of electricity. What will happen when we aim to achieve the national target of 28,500 megawatts?” Shakya questioned, underlining the gap between the nation’s ambitions and the capacity of existing infrastructure.
He stressed that the NEA is the backbone of the private energy sector and must be empowered until at least 10,000 megawatts of capacity is achieved. “NEA is not in crisis because of financial losses. It is in a state where it has no choice but to move forward, despite systemic weaknesses,” Shakya said.
He warned that without sufficient investment in power infrastructure, the entire energy sector could be in jeopardy. Shakya also highlighted the importance of preserving and strengthening the NEA, arguing that fragmentation of the authority would endanger the future of Nepal’s energy sector.
MD Shakya pointed out that system failures, such as frequent tripping of transmission lines, are common. “Even a fallen tree can trip an entire transmission line. Why haven’t we been able to strengthen the system? It’s due to our limited financial capacity and inadequate investment,” he added.
Shakya also noted that as Nepal transitions from a least-developed country (LDC) to a developing nation, it will become more difficult to secure low-interest loans, making the construction of transmission and distribution lines even more challenging.
He called on the private sector to support the NEA, emphasizing that foreign aid alone will not be sufficient to sustain Nepal’s growing energy needs. Urging stakeholders to put aside personal interests, he appealed for collective effort to move the authority forward and safeguard the future of the energy sector. #NEA #nepal #hitendra
