Scheduled electricity outages will affect several parts of Kathmandu Valley from October 1 through October 12 while the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) carries out technical maintenance and upgrades the underground power distribution system.
The work will affect areas served by the Kuleshwor, Baneshwor, Jorpati, and Kirtipur distribution centers.
The NEA says power in the affected locations will be unavailable from 10 am to 3 pm. It also cautions that the planned outages may be called off if weather conditions are unfavorable.
The work is underway as the NEA prepares to shift Kathmandu Valley’s electricity distribution network underground and get the system ready for winter.
Kathmandu power outage schedule
The NEA has listed the following dates and locations for the planned interruptions:
- October 1: Satungal–Bauthali
- October 2: Machhegaun–Dobhan Chowk and Khusi Chowk
- October 3: Mulpani
- October 4: Gurjudhara
- October 6: Mulpani
- October 7: Balambu
- October 8: Koteshwor–Balkumari
- October 10: Siphal
- October 11: Satungal–Dhaulagiri residential area
- October 12: Dhobikhola
Residents, businesses, and other electricity users in these areas should expect daytime power interruptions while maintenance is carried out.
NEA expands underground electricity network
The power utility has launched a project to develop a more efficient, automated underground electricity distribution system across Kathmandu Valley.
The first phase will cover areas served by the Ratnapark and Maharajgunj distribution centers in Kathmandu. The second phase will extend to other urban parts of Kathmandu, while phases three and four will include Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Pokhara, and Bharatpur.
Under the plan, the NEA will install underground 33 kV, 11 kV, and 400 volts electric lines, along with optical-fiber cables. The aim is to make the distribution network more reliable, safe, and efficient.
The initiative is also expected to increase automation in electricity distribution and remove overhead electric, telephone, and internet lines from the city.
The NEA calls the project the underground network initiative and expects it to help improve the organization of Kathmandu Valley.
Work supports winter electricity management
The underground network expansion in Kathmandu is also part of preparations for the coming winter.
The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the NEA, the Department of Roads, and Kathmandu Metropolitan City have met to plan how to maintain an adequate electricity supply across the capital region during winter.
The NEA has established a task force to manage winter electricity demand and is working with other designated government agencies to address expected supply challenges.
The NEA, Department of Roads, and Kathmandu Metropolitan City are also looking at ways to strengthen alternative underground electricity supply networks and coordinate electricity work with road and footpath construction.
Following the announcement of the planned outages, electricity users in the valley should take the affected dates and the 10 am to 3 pm outage period into account when arranging their daily activities.