Manoj Silwal, the newly appointed Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), has demonstrated his ability to efficiently manage systems during disasters and crises. The heavy rainfall over the weekend (October 3-6) led to floods and landslides that disrupted hydropower plants, transmission, and distribution systems in the four provinces mentioned.

Minister Kulman Ghising, responsiblefor Energy, Water Resources, Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Development, visited the Load Dispatch Centre at NEA on Monday evening. During the visit,

MD Silwal briefed Minister Ghising on national electricity generation, transmission, distribution systems, grid operations, electricity demand and supply management, electricity export, and the damages caused by the recent natural disasters. Minister Ghising, a former MD of NEA, acknowledged the frequent complaints about power outages and discussed necessary short-, medium-, and long-term policy and technical reforms to enhance the reliability, quality, safety, and modernization of the electricity system.

In some rural areas of those provinces, communication services have been disrupted due to power outages. With the support of Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kulman Ghising, NEA was able to restore most of the transmission lines and distribution systems to provide electricity.

Drawing on his past experiences and expertise at NEA, MD Silwal ensured uninterrupted power supply in the Kathmandu Valley. Recognizing Silwal's capabilities, Minister Ghising successfully advocated for his appointment to Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

MD Silwal worked tirelessly, along with NEA's technical team, to restore electricity, particularly in Gandakai, Bagmati, and Madhesh Provinces. He also oversaw the restoration of power in Ilam and is currently focused on other areas of the district. Silwal credited Minister Ghising for the support that made the restoration efforts possible.

Following flood damage on July 8, one of the 60 MW units at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Plant remained offline until Silwal became MD. After a brief maintenance period, Trishuli A is now generating its full capacity of 60 MW.

Upon assuming his role, MD Silwal found that the Chameliya Hydropower plant was only producing 15 MW out of its 30 MW capacity. He took prompt action, resulting in the plant now generating its full 30 MW capacity.

In the electricity export to India, MD Silwal has successfully increased the export from approximately 900 MW to over 1000 MW per day in recent days. Silwal, who retired as the Deputy Managing Director of NEA after a 30-year career in the second week of Magh (around January–February), was a trusted colleague of MD Ghising before his retirement. On Bhadra 30 (September 15), Minister Ghising's first decision upon assuming office was to recover dues related to dedicated and trunk transmission lines.

Ghising selected Silwal as his partner to execute the plan. Prior to his appointment as Minister, Kulman had obtained approval from Prime Minister Sushila Karki to appoint Silwal as the new MD. Sources indicate that Ghising had informed Karki about the need for aligned leadership at NEA to support his plans, to which Karki agreed.

Working closely with Minister Ghising to ensure efficient service delivery, MD Silwal has demonstrated his skills and decision-making abilities.

MD Silwal has been dedicated to meeting Minister Ghising's goal of enhancing service delivery and meeting the Nepalese people's desire for a better Nepal.