Monsoon Rains Power Surge in Electricity Exports to India

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KATHMANDU, June: Increased rainfall has significantly boosted river flows, enabling the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to export up to 700 megawatts of electricity to India each day.

With domestic generation exceeding national demand, NEA is now exporting power not only to India but also supplying 40 megawatts to Bangladesh. At the same time, it is meeting the electricity needs of local industries as required.

According to NEA, internal electricity generation currently stands at around 2,700 megawatts.

The nation’s electricity demand peaks at around 2,000 megawatts and drops to about 1,800 megawatts during off-peak hours.

During the dry season, when production declines, NEA has struggled to meet demand even with imports from India, leading to unannounced power cuts in industrial areas.

Over the past few years, surplus electricity generated during the monsoon has been sold to India. Nepal also started supplying power to Bangladesh from last Mangsir (November/December), although exports were limited to just a day last year.

The NEA is sending around 650 to 700 megawatts to India and 40 megawatts to Bangladesh after fulfilling internal demand.

 

Source: Republica