Kathmandu, August 19
The government has intensified preparations to reduce electricity tariffs for consumers and industries.
A committee was formed on July 29 on the proposal of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha to review existing electricity tariffs.
The committee, coordinated by Nepal Electricity Authority board member Anshu Kiran Shahi, is scheduled to meet at the ministry at 4 pm on Wednesday to discuss ways to reduce electricity prices.
Representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, energy experts, consumer representatives and financial experts are members of the committee.
Shahi said the tariff is being reviewed in view of the surplus electricity generated during the monsoon season, much of which is currently going to waste.
He said the authority is considering introducing a seasonal tariff to provide electricity to consumers and industries at cheaper rates during the rainy season and increase domestic consumption.
According to Shahi, the authority has been incurring monthly losses when electricity generated during the monsoon cannot be consumed or exported.
“We are meeting at the ministry today to discuss how much the tariff can be reduced under the seasonal tariff,” Shahi said. “We are also discussing how industries can pass on the benefit of cheaper monsoon electricity to consumers through lower prices of their products.”
He said industries are also being considered for discounted electricity rates during the rainy season.
The committee is expected to make a decision on the proposed tariff revision soon.
