Kathmandu, December 16

The two-day Power Summit organised by Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) concluded here today with commitments from all stakeholders to generate 10,000 megawatts of energy in 10 years.

Addressing the concluding session of the event, IPPAN President Khadga Bahadur Bisht said that government, private sector and development partners should work together with a strong determination to turn country’s hydro potential into reality. “Dedicated effort from all, stable government and effective plans and policies will help meet the set goal of generating 10,000 megawatts within a decade,” said Bisht.

Similarly, Subarna Das Shrestha, immediate past president of IPPAN, said that analysing achievements and failures of Power Summit 2013 would show the way forward for achieving the goal of 10,000 MW of electricity within the stipulated time. “We should first analyse the prerequisites of the goal we have set if we are to materialise that goal,” said Shrestha, adding that implementation of 99-point concept in the National Energy Crisis Reduction and Electricity Development Decade (2016-2026), improved coordination among government agencies and activities to build investor confidence are essential to materialise the goal.

Meanwhile, IPPAN Adviser Gyanendra Lal Pradhan stressed on the need to increase power consumption in the domestic market and seek export markets together while setting ambitious targets like generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity.

Michael L Boyd, senior energy adviser for USAID, Nepal said that a big change in mentality and activity of government and power developers is required to achieve the goal of generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity in Nepal. “This is an optimistic target which requires serious commitments from all involved,” said Boyd.

Addressing the event, Dinesh Ghimire, joint secretary at the Ministry of Energy (MoE), said that the 10,000 MW goal is achievable as government has developed a strong groundwork to develop hydropower sector in Nepal. “We have set a proper background to implement 99-point concept and target of 10,000 MW in 10 years. We are optimistic about achieving the target through collaborative effort,” Ghimire said.

Informing that energy is a key driver of the economy, National Planning Commission (NPC) Member Swarnim Wagle said that the set goal is both optimistic and encouraging, especially because the level of consensus among political parties is increasing and private sector’s capacity has been increased. “One of the problems facing Nepal’s hydropower was market. However, the market problem has been addressed more or less after Nepal signed PTA with India,” he said.