With the onset of the dry season, Nepal has started importing 50 MW of electricity from India daily. This measure, in place since last week, addresses the decreasing water flow in rivers and streams, which has led to a daytime electricity shortage. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) received permission from India to import electricity on November 19.
According to NEA spokesperson Chandan Kumar Ghosh, Nepal imports electricity from India during the day time while continuing to export electricity to India at night.
“We have been importing 50 MW of electricity daily for about a week,” Ghosh stated. Currently, imports are allowed during all hours except between 5 PM and 9 PM.
Ghosh noted that from March 15 to May 30, 2025, Nepal will be allowed to import electricity only during solar hours, from 6 AM to 6 PM, similar to last year. This limited import window highlights the critical need for the timely repair of the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, which has been out of operation since a landslide damaged its structures in late September.
“If the repair of Upper Tamakoshi is not completed on time, it will be challenging to meet the electricity demand, particularly during peak hours,” Ghosh warned.
A team led by NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising, who also chairs the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Limited Board of Directors, inspected the project site on Wednesday. They discussed the repair schedule with project management, consultants, and contractors.
The NEA plans to complete maintenance of the project by December 25 and start electricity generation shortly afterward. Repairs include demolishing and reconstructing the partially damaged wall, mending cracks in the culvert walls and ceiling, and relocating the control room underground to prevent future damage.
Once operational, the Upper Tamakoshi plant can run at full capacity for four hours during peak demand by storing water during off-peak hours. Repairs to one of the project’s transmission line towers, damaged by heavy rain, have already been completed.
Ghising emphasized the urgency of the repairs, stating that any delays could severely impact the ability to meet the country’s electricity demand during peak winter months. He urged all stakeholders to prioritize the maintenance work.
“The situation could become critical without Upper Tamakoshi in March and April, when we cannot import electricity from India even at night. Its timely operation is essential,” Ghising stated.
