KATHMANDU, August 17 :
Only 23.55 MW of hydropower generated by six projects was connected to the national grid in fiscal year 201/14.
The annual report of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) prepared on the occasion of the state-owned power utility´s 30th anniversary states that power generated from Lower Chaku Khola (1.76 MW), Ankhu Khola-1 (8.4 MW), Bhairab Kunda (3 MW), Radhi Khola (4.4 MW), Mailung Khola (5 MW) and Chhote Khola (900 KW) was connected to national grid in the last fiscal year.
However, power generated from Lower Chaku Khola and Bhairab Kunda have been left unused due to damage in transmission line.
The addition of a meager 23.55 MW to the national grid means the nation will have to face long load-shedding hours in the dry months as energy demand rises by an average of 100 MW every year.
Speaking at the program, trade union leaders of NEA blamed the NEA management and NEA board, led by Minister for Energy Radha Kumari Gyawali, of hampering the work progress of three projects promoted by three subsidiary companies of Chilime Hydropower Project by removing Kul Man Ghising from Chilime.
Minister Gyawali, in turn, blamed the trade unions of disobeying the decision taken by the management.
Source : Republica