Kathmandu, May 14 -- With only weeks to go for the opening of the long-awaited 456MW Rs80 billion Upper Tamakosi Hydropower project, the NepalElectricity Authority is still awaiting clearance to export surplus electricity to India.

After initial tests two units will start generation by mid-May, all six units will be working at full capacity by September.

Nepal is currently importing 500MW from India, and NEA expects this to go down, and once things are sorted out with India exports in the monsoon to begin. India earlier rejected an energy banking proposal that would have allowed Nepal to sell surplus monsoon electricity and import from India in winters. There is a danger that excess Tama Kosi power will be 'spilled' because of the delay...