KATHMANDU, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Minister for Energy Prakash Sharan Mahat has said the government is working to limit power outage to 12 hours per day this winter.

    Last year consumers had faced power outage up to 20 hours a day during the driest season.

    According to Monday's myrepublica.com report, the total demand in the country reaches nearly 900 MW while the installed capacity of all the hydroelectric projects doesn't make up even 700 MW.

    Moreover, the projects generate less than half their full installed capacity during the dry season as all.

    At a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Means on Sunday, the minister said the government is planning to import 60 MW from India and repair the existing thermal plants to reduce the power outage hours.

    The government has started to import 20 MW through the Tanakapur point from January 1 as per the agreement between Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and the Power Trade Corporation of India.

    The NEA will distribute the electricity imported through Tanakpur to districts in far western Nepal.

    On the thermal plant front, the government every year announces that it will repair the plants and generate electricity in full capacity but failed to keep the promise.