Kulman Ghising, Chairperson of the Ujyalo Nepal Party and former chief of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), has urged the government to urgently address the country’s energy security and start rebuilding the power infrastructure damaged by recent floods and landslides.
In a public statement on Tuesday, Ghising emphasized the need for the government to take action beyond merely discussing load shedding and to implement immediate measures to safeguard the national power grid.
Power Outages Impacting Trishuli and Kaligandaki Corridors
Ghising noted that natural disasters have severely disrupted the country’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution systems, particularly affecting the transmission lines along the Trishuli and Kaligandaki river basins. The damage from floods and landslides has significantly reduced the overall evacuation capacity.
Winter Supply Concerns
Ghising warned that the current situation could jeopardize electricity supply during the winter season unless steps are taken to restore transmission and create alternative solutions.
Immediate Action Needed for Grid Security
He stated that merely declaring “no load shedding” is insufficient; immediate technical preparations and backup plans must be established to manage electricity supply effectively.
Maintaining Investor Confidence and National Progress
Ghising urged the government not to use the current crisis as an excuse to delay national infrastructure projects, especially in the energy sector. He remarked, “This is a national issue that impacts citizens’ lives, energy security, and Nepal’s development.” He called for the government to implement supportive policies and swift reconstruction plans to maintain investor confidence, both domestically and internationally.