Nepal Earns Rs 29.32 Billion From Electricity Exports to India and Bangladesh, Spends Rs 10.55 Billion on Imports

Dragon Media Correspondent

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said Nepal earned Rs 29.32 billion from electricity exports to India and Bangladesh in fiscal year 2082/83.

Responding to lawmakers’ questions in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Shrestha said the increase in electricity exports should not be viewed as the sole measure of success in Nepal’s energy sector.

He explained that Nepal’s hydropower system is largely run-of-river based, resulting in higher generation during the monsoon season and lower output during the dry season.

During the rainy season, electricity production often exceeds domestic demand, and surplus power is exported to India and Bangladesh to prevent wastage.

In the dry season, however, domestic generation remains insufficient to meet demand, requiring Nepal to import electricity from India. Shrestha said Nepal imported electricity worth around Rs 10.55 billion in fiscal year 2082/83.

Responding to a question from lawmaker Basana Thapa, the minister said work is underway to expand smart metering and substation automation systems in the Kathmandu Valley and other major cities.

He said new substations are being constructed and transmission and distribution lines are being expanded and upgraded to manage growing urban electricity demand.

Infrastructure improvements, including dedicated feeders, are also being prioritised in industrial areas to reduce voltage fluctuations and ensure more reliable electricity supply.

Shrestha said the ministry had formed a high-level committee on Asar 16 to study voltage fluctuations, frequent tripping and transformer failures reported in different parts of the country.

The committee has completed its study, and its recommendations were forwarded to the Nepal Electricity Authority on Shrawan 20 for implementation, he said.

The minister identified ageing, deteriorated and low-capacity distribution infrastructure, together with rapidly rising electricity consumption, as major challenges facing the power system.

He said growing use of household electrical appliances has increased residential demand, while older infrastructure in some areas is unable to handle the additional load, resulting in periodic supply disruptions.

According to Shrestha, the Nepal Electricity Authority is prioritising transformer and feeder capacity upgrades, demand management, system reinforcement and immediate maintenance to reduce such problems.

He also said electricity-related complaints are being addressed through the ministry’s 24-hour 1151 hotline, the Nepal Electricity Authority’s 1150 hotline and its No Light service.