Industries Face Power Cut Threat as NEA Sets October 19 Deadline

Industries that have not cleared their premium charges for trunk lines and dedicated feeders are now at risk of losing their electricity connections, as the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has set October 19 as the final deadline for payment.

The NEA has warned that lines will be disconnected immediately after the deadline for all industries failing to pay their dues. According to NEA spokesperson Rajan Dhakal, the board of directors has already endorsed the recovery plan, and a formal notice has been issued.
“So far, no industry has made the required payments. Some have approached us for discussions, but payment is mandatory. We will proceed with power cuts for all defaulters,” Dhakal said.

The authority has begun preparations to disconnect electricity supply from midnight of October 19, marking the end of a long-standing dispute between industries and the NEA.

The decision was taken following directives from Energy Minister Kulman Ghising, with Executive Director Manoj Silwal overseeing the enforcement process.

For years, industries have been contesting the premium charge, arguing that Time of Day (TOD) meter details used to calculate the fees were not properly made available. The NEA, however, maintains that payment is necessary to ensure fairness and financial discipline within the energy sector.