At a time when Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is predicting up to 16- hours daily load-shedding in the dry season, Energy Minister Posta Bahadur Bogati Tuesday said that load-shedding can only be reduced if the power tariff is increased.

Speaking at a programme in Kathmandu, he said that daily load-shedding can be reduced to 4-5 hours if the charges for the electricity being paid by the consumers are increased.

“The NEA is facing loss worth Rs. 3 per unit at present. Increasing the existing rate, buying additional 100 megawatt electricity from India and generating power from thermal and diesel plant is the long-term solution of the load-shedding,” he said.

Currently, the NEA has been imposing 6-hours daily load-shedding on average. nepalnews.com

�