Kathmandu: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said that despite the massive loss of life and property caused by the flooding in the Bhotekoshi River, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) employees were able to keep electricity services running through their active efforts.
Minister Shrestha stated that NEA staff continued working to maintain power supply even while some of their colleagues remained out of contact following the disaster. According to him, although the floods knocked around 10 percent of the country’s total electricity generation capacity out of the system, the authority succeeded in keeping electricity supply management balanced.
On Thursday evening, Minister Shrestha visited the Load Dispatch Centre (LDC) in Syuchatar to receive updates on power supply management. During the visit, he informed that electricity service had already been restored in most flood-affected areas of Nuwakot, while efforts were ongoing to restore supply in Rasuwa.
“We have so far been successful in keeping the electricity system balanced. However, given the extensive damage, additional challenges may arise in the coming days, so preparedness and management have been given the highest priority,” Minister Shrestha said.
According to the NEA, peak electricity demand stood at 2,939 MW on Wednesday evening but declined to 2,891 MW on Thursday evening. Electricity demand in the Kathmandu Valley was 578 MW on Thursday, down from 590 MW on Wednesday.
The authority also reported a decline in electricity imports. While 62 MW of electricity was imported on Wednesday, only 2 MW was imported on Thursday.
Minister Shrestha thanked the NEA’s senior management, employees, and technical teams involved in rescue operations and power restoration efforts in flood-affected areas.
The NEA is currently supplying around 7 MW of electricity to Nuwakot through alternative sources. According to the authority, 2 MW is being supplied from Chapali, 1 MW from Indrawati, 2 MW from the Tradi Hydropower Centre, and an additional 2 MW through the Balaju–Trishuli system.
Jalasarokar