Kathmandu, September 26

The meeting of Nepal-China joint implementation mechanism on energy cooperation led by energy secretaries of both countries will be held here on Friday.

The meeting is being held following the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barsha Man Pun and his Chinese counterpart during the state visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China in June.

Anup Kumar Upadhyay, secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, said the joint implementation mechanism (JIM) meeting will focus on energy cooperation between China and Nepal and attracting investment from the northern neighbour.

The joint mechanism on energy will discuss Galchhi-Rasuwagadhi-Kyirong 400kVA cross-border transmission line. Talks on another cross-border transmission line from Sankhuwasabha to Tibet is also on the agenda.

This will be the first meeting of Nepal-China joint mechanism on energy cooperation. The meeting is scheduled to hold discussions on a wide range of areas of energy cooperation, including energy sector development and power trade, among others, according to Secretary Upadhyay.

The government is eyeing Chinese investment in hydropower sector to achieve its target of generating 10,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity within 10 years. “Hydropower sector is capital-intensive sector, which is why we are looking for investment from across the globe,” Upadhyay reiterated.