NEA vows to limit load-shedding to 12 hours a day

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    KATHMANDU, Jan 7:

    NEA_BuldingNepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has clarified that it would limit load-shedding to 12 hours a day this year.
    Organizing a press meet here on Tuesday, newly appointed Managing Director of NEA Arjun Karki promised to cap load-shedding at 12 hours per day.
    At present, the country is facing load-shedding of 80 hours per week.

    “We have three lifelines – Kulekhani reservoir, upgradation of Kataiya-Kushaha transmission line to import additional 40 MW from India and 30-MW diesel plants on standby in Hetauda,” said Karki.

    Energy generation hits record low in second week of February when water levels at rivers fall to their lowest.
    There, however, are doubts over timely completion of the upgradation of transmission line.

    The works have been pending for the past three months due to delay in receiving permission from India to transport wires imported from third countries through its territory. The 13-km stretch of the transmission line was completed in September 2013. The remaining works can be completed in four to five days, according to officials.

    “We are confident that we will complete upgradation in January as the customs clearance process is underway for transporting wires,” said Karki.

    Hydropower projects in the country, excluding the Kulekhani hydropower projects (92 MW), are currently generating 320 MW. Peak hour demand stands at 1176 MW. The government is currently importing 190 MW from India.
    Only 100 MW was added to NEA grid in the past three years.

    ´Delay in customs clearance of wires not because of India´

    KATHMANDU (REPUBLICA): The Embassy of India in Kathmandu on Tuesday clarified that the Government of India has not delayed customs clearance process of wires imported by Nepal for Kataiya-Kushaha transmission line project.

    Refuting media reports of India delaying the process of issuing customs clearance for the wires imported from the US, the embassy instead said Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) had not responded on the issue.

    “The embassy explained in their meetings with NEA officials over the last one month that for the proposed export of construction equipment/tools and materials, an Indian importer having Import Export Code (IEC) would be required to be appointed,” a statement issued by the embassy said, adding that NEA did not respond to it.

    “The Government of India has taken concrete steps to reduce load shedding in Nepal by supplying maximum possible electricity on the existing transmission lines and by helping to augment cross border grid connectivity,” the statement further said.

    Source : Republica