NEFPORT ISSUE 41 – JULY 2020
ENERGY ENERGY AGRICULTURE
Due to the lockdown and its subsequent impact halting industrial activities, the NEA is expected to lose about NPR 2 billion (USD 17.04 million) a month if the lockdown continues. As hotels, offices, factories, and industries remained shut post lockdown, the energy usage fell by 6 million units per month which caused a revenue loss of NPR 1.8 billion (USD 15.34 million). The daily demand for electricity has fallen to 14000 megawatts/hour (MWh) in comparison to 20000-22000 MWh in normal times. Consequently, with reduced power consumption, the power imports from India have also reduced76. NEA in plans to build a 220-kVA high voltage transmission line in the outskirts of Kathmandu valley:
The present transmission system in the Kathmandu valley can supply only up to 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity. As the electricity demand in the valley reached 450 MW last winter, the NEA in its effort to satisfy the ever-growing demand plans to build a power transmission network with the capacity to supply up to 1200 MW of electricity to the Valley. The NEA plans to construct a high capacity substations in Chobhar to ensure reliable electricity supply in the valley.77 Construction of Solu Corridor Transmission Line comes to a halt:
The lockdown has brought the 132 KV project to a complete halt as it has prevented the supply of necessary materials required for construction.
Furthermore, the project has also not been able to mobilise its 400 workersmost of whom are of Indian origin. Mohan Energy Corporation, which is an Indian company responsible for the construction of the project and the corridor which will cover a 90-kilometer route from Siraha through Udaypur and Okhaldhunga to Solukhumbu78. Chilime Trishuli 220 KV transmission line project-affected due to lockdown: The project has been
adversely affected due to the lack of workers and construction materials. The project began in December 2017 and was initially scheduled to be completed on June 13, 2019. However, the deadline was extended to April 30, 2020, due to the delays caused by physical difficulties, lack of roads, and added time in construction design. The current situation has
further delayed the completion of the project.79 Sale of induction stoves rose during the lockdown: The sale of induction
stoves rose due to the short supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) during the nationwide lockdown. Although the Food Management and Trading Company Limited (FMTCL) had set the price of each induction stove at NPR 12000 (USD 102.26), the price had to be lowered to NPR 4000 (USD 34.09) due to lower demand at the higher price. The FMTCL sold about 500-600 units each day after the government imposed lockdown which was higher than the normal days. The Chinese government had gifted the induction stoves to Nepal during the economic blockade of 2015 when the nation had suffered acute shortages of petroleum products including the LPG.80
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