The government has permitted the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to purchase 23 MW electricity from the Power Trading Corporation of India (PTC), The Himalayan Times, a leading newspaper, reported on Saturday.

Talking to the daily here on Friday, executive director of the NEA Arjun Karki said the NEA will begin the process shortly.

"In the initial phase, an agreement has been reached to import power for four months. Power is expensive for the short term, but will be cheaper in the long run," he said.

"The PTC has proposed to provide over 50 MW electricity in the winter season. However, the NEA could not purchase power in line with the proposal due to the lack of extension lines," he said.

After the extension of electric lines by next winter, Nepal will see a shortfall of only 10-15 MW electricity, Karki added.

Purchase of electricity from the PTC was delayed due to technical reasons, he said, adding that talks between India and Nepal are underway for the construction of a 400 KV line in Nepal jointly by the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Limited of India and NEA.

Source: Xinhua