Kathmandu, July 1 -- As water levels in rivers and streams rise with the onset of monsoon, Nepal's hydropower generation has once again exceeded domestic demand, and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has instructed developers to reduce output.

The Load Dispatch Centre under the NEA has begun issuing regular curtailment instructions to hydropower projects, especially those classified under the "contingency" category, as surplus electricity builds up in the system. The practice is routine during the rainy season, when generation rises sharply but consumption remains relatively stable.

Hydropower developer Sujan Poudel said the instructions began arriving in late May and have continued into early monsoon weeks, with no fixed schedule....