Kulman Ghising reassures no load-shedding for households, contradicts energy minister’s claims

KATHMANDU: Kulman Ghising, the Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), has firmly dismissed concerns about load-shedding for domestic consumers, directly contradicting statements made by Energy Minister Deepak Khadka. Ghising assured the public that under his leadership, households will not face power cuts, regardless of the challenges, and urged consumers not to heed the minister’s warnings.

The rebuttal comes after Minister Khadka, who also chairs the NEA’s Board of Directors, told the National Assembly on Wednesday that load-shedding would soon affect households across the country. Addressing those remarks in an interview with Bizmandu, Ghising emphasized that the NEA is effectively managing the power supply to ensure uninterrupted service for residential users.

“We are handling it. We import more electricity during the day and operate peaking projects at night. There will be no load-shedding in people’s homes under any circumstances. Rest assured, even during peak hours, there’s no need to doubt the availability of electricity,” he said. “Since the NEA manages the power supply, don’t believe what the minister says.”

Ghising went further, accusing Minister Khadka of attempting to undermine his efforts at the NEA. When pressed about the minister’s public declaration of impending load-shedding, Ghising responded candidly: “He is currently trying by all means to make me fail. He has sought clarifications from me multiple times and is creating obstacles even for importing electricity from India. But no matter how much he obstructs, as long as I am at the NEA, the public will not face load-shedding. They can be confident of that.”

Targeted Cuts for Industries

While ruling out power cuts for households, Ghising acknowledged challenges in supplying electricity to industries, particularly during peak hours when India restricts exports. He announced that the NEA would now prioritize and, if necessary, cut power to industries that have failed to clear dues for dedicated and trunk line services. “Due to India not providing electricity during peak hours, we’re facing difficulties supplying industries at night. So, for industries that haven’t paid their dedicated and trunk line bills, we will implement cuts as needed. We’ve prioritized this, and our Load Dispatch Center is working on it,” he explained.

This move signals a tougher stance on industrial consumers with outstanding payments, contrasting sharply with the NEA’s commitment to protecting household users. The authority has been grappling with payment disputes over dedicated and trunk lines—specialized power supply services—prompting Ghising to enforce stricter measures to ensure financial discipline among large consumers.

A Public Clash of Authority

The exchange highlights a growing rift between Ghising and Minister Khadka, exposing tensions within the NEA’s leadership at a time when Nepal’s energy sector faces mounting pressure. Ghising, widely credited with ending chronic load-shedding during his previous tenure, has positioned himself as a steadfast defender of consumer interests. His blunt dismissal of the minister’s statement—“Don’t believe him”—underscores a rare public confrontation between the NEA’s operational head and its board chair.

Energy experts see this as more than a personal spat, pointing to deeper systemic issues, including Nepal’s reliance on imported power and the government’s oversight of the NEA. With domestic hydropower projects unable to fully meet demand and India’s supply constrained during peak hours, the NEA has been walking a tightrope to balance supply and demand. Ghising’s strategy of daytime imports and nighttime reliance on peaking projects has so far kept households powered, but industrial consumers appear to be bearing the brunt of the shortfall.
Public Reassurance Amid Uncertainty

Ghising’s assurances are likely to resonate with a public still scarred by memories of prolonged blackouts before his earlier reforms. His pledge to shield households from load-shedding, even as he accuses the minister of sabotage, reinforces his reputation as a hands-on leader. However, the threat of power cuts for non-paying industries could ripple through the economy, potentially affecting jobs and production.

As the NEA navigates these challenges, Ghising’s defiance of the minister’s narrative sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown. For now, he remains adamant: “As long as I’m here, the people won’t suffer.” Whether that promise holds will depend on the NEA’s ability to juggle limited resources and fend off internal and external pressures in the days ahead.