The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) announced on Monday, December 16, that industrial areas will face power cuts during peak evening hours until the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Plant resumes operation.  

Landslides caused by incessant rains in late September damaged key structures , including the headworks, of the Upper Tamakoshi project in Lamabagar, Bigu Rural Municipality-1, Dolakha.  

According to the state-owned power utility, other categories of consumers will not face supply disruptions.  

Although this is the first time in six-and-a-half years that NEA has officially reintroduced load shedding, industrialists have frequently reported instances of undeclared power cuts , even during monsoon seasons. NEA had announced the end of load shedding for industrial users in May 2018, a year after eliminating power cuts for residential consumers.  

Nepal, which exports surplus electricity to India and Bangladesh during the wet season, still relies heavily on imports from India during the dry season. Reduced water flow in winter causes the output of Nepal’s run-of-river (ROR) hydropower plants to drop by nearly one-third, straining supply.  

Import restrictions from India during peak hours (5 PM to 9 PM) have exacerbated the situation. “The inability to import power during peak hours, combined with the ongoing shutdown of Upper Tamakoshi, has compelled us to reduce electricity supply to industries,” said Kulman Ghising, Managing Director of the NEA. However, he clarified that power supply to other consumer categories would remain uninterrupted.  

“The Upper Tamakoshi project sustained structural damage during continuous rainfall on September 27 and 28,” the NEA reported. Repairs are in progress, with power generation expected to resume by December 24. Full-capacity operations during peak hours are anticipated within 15 days after resumption.  

The hydropower plant can store water to operate at full capacity for four hours during peak demand, making it a critical component of Nepal’s electricity supply. “Repair work on Upper Tamakoshi is progressing swiftly,” added Ghising.  

India's Central Electricity Authority has authorized Nepal to import up to 654 MW of power daily: 600 MW via the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 kV cross-border transmission line and 54 MW through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV line. However, imports during peak hours (5 PM to 9 PM) are prohibited until March 15, 2025. Between March 16 and June 30, 2025, imports will be restricted to solar hours (6 AM to 6 PM).  

Further disruptions occurred last Friday when a conductor on the Dhalkebar-Nawalpur 132 kV transmission line broke, impacting power supply to the Bara and Parsa industrial corridors. Repairs were completed by Monday afternoon, restoring supply.  

Meanwhile, another transmission line from Chamelia to Attariya sustained damage from a fallen tree, and repairs are ongoing.