KATHMANDU, July 8 : Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Hitendra Dev Shakya, has unveiled the key achievements of his first 100 days in office. According to the progress report released on Tuesday, the full restoration and operation of the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project damaged by a flood in October 2024, has been marked as the most significant milestone of his tenure so far.
During this period, the NEA also ramped up electricity exports, improved transmission and distribution systems, and added new infrastructure to the national grid.
Nepal began regular export of 40 MW electricity to Bangladesh from July 15, while daily average exports to India have reached 625 MW. Additionally, 104 circuit kilometers of new transmission lines were constructed, and substations with a combined capacity of 586.5 MVA were added to the system. A 110 MVAR capacitor bank was also installed to improve voltage regulation.
To enhance electricity supply in the Kathmandu Valley, the Syuchatar-based Distribution Control Center has been made operational with 24/7 system monitoring.
NEA has applied for licenses to develop the 100 MW Kulekhani–Sisneri and 494 MW Hulingtar–Dumkim pumped storage projects. Feasibility studies for cross-border transmission with China and joint investment plans for two 400 kV lines with India are also underway.
NEA has also claimed making progress on resolving long-standing disputes over dedicated and trunk line tariffs, with a review committee already formed.
For financial stability, the Ministry of Finance has approved short-term loans of Rs 10 billion and allowed NEA to issue bonds worth Rs 20 billion for system expansion.
NEA is in the final stage of testing a centralized payment gateway for large customers and has developed an infrastructure quality app to monitor service reliability.
Source: Republica