Kathmandu, September 23
Newly appointed Nepal Electricity Authority Managing Director Dirghayukumar Shrestha has said that alternative energy sources are being explored to ensure a smooth electricity supply during the winter season.
Assuming office at the authority’s Darbar Marg office on Wednesday, Shrestha said the reconstruction of hydropower projects damaged by the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa on August 26 was his top priority.
He said work had already begun to reconnect projects damaged by floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers in Rasuwa to the national power system.
“We are also considering alternatives to ensure a smooth electricity supply during the winter. The Ministry of Energy and the Nepal Electricity Authority have formed a task force for this purpose. We will not allow problems in electricity supply during the winter. Providing services and quality electricity to the people will remain my priority,” he said.
Shrestha said the authority would work on both immediate and long-term strategies for the reconstruction of hydropower projects damaged by the floods.
He also said a decision had been made to form a separate committee to conduct a detailed design and engineering study of the Sunkoshi-3 Hydropower Project.
Due to the floods, 135 megawatts of electricity currently generated at the Chilime Hub has been disconnected from the national power system. Shrestha said he was committed to ensuring convenient and quality electricity distribution to consumers.
“The Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa on August 26 caused significant damage to the state and the Nepal Electricity Authority. We are preparing immediate and long-term plans to recover from the damage. Initially, our focus will be on restoring the damaged transmission lines,” he said.
“Currently, only 135 megawatts of generation capacity at the Chilime Hub is operational. Our first target will be to reconnect two or four other hydropower plants to the national power system. The authority has already started work on this. Our strategy is to clear the debris from the hydropower projects, assess the damage after the debris is cleared, and then move ahead with reconstruction plans,” he said.
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha administered the oath of office to Managing Director Shrestha at the ministry on Wednesday morning.
A Cabinet meeting held on September 18 appointed Shrestha as managing director of the authority.
