June 9, 2021
Kathmandu: NEA has published a notice for private sector hydropower developers on 4th June, 2021 to submit a report on the impact caused by epidemic Covid-19 to hydropower projects through an email address of NEA, Power Trade Department: powertrade@nea.org.np.
In the initiative of Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal, a committee has been formed as per the Hon’ble Ministerial Decision of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation dated on September 7, 2020 to study the impacts caused by COVID-19 and submit a report with possible measures. And the facility was approved as per the ministerial decision on February 14, 2021. As per the provision in the approved report, the NEA has published the information in June 4, 2021 to inform power trade department of NEA about the Covid-19 impact faced by hydropower projects during project development phase. After evaluating impact report based on documents of commercial operation date, financial closure date and license duration, NEA will facilitate maximum 1 year of RCOD extension in PPA.
Based on the decision of the Ministry, this term is being extended only for the period from 2076.12.11 to 2077.12.10. This notice does not have a deadline as Covid is still running after that date and the promoters’ Notice of Force Major has already arrived. NEA has suggested that if possible, it would be better if the promoters submit the petition within 7 days as it mentions in PPA. Even if it is delayed due to bad condition due to covid, open cause application can be given.
