KATHMANDU, MARCH 1

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has urged the country's international development partners to increase investment in the energy sector.

With the necessity of significant investments for energy production, transmission, distribution, expansion, and reform, the NEA has specifically called upon Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank, which have been supporting Nepal's energy initiatives.

A monitoring team, including Swiss Ambassador Danielle Meuwly, World Bank Country Director for Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad-Zerbos, ADB's Nepal Resident Mission Director Arnaud Cauchois, and representatives from the European Union and USAID, visited the 220-KV New Butwal Sub-Station at Sunwal municipality-13, Suryabasti of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta-East).

The new Butwal substation, constructed under the Kaligandaki Corridor 220 KV transmission line project with investments from the Government of Nepal (GoN), NEA, and a concessional loan from ADB, underscores the importance of international cooperation in Nepal's energy infrastructure.

NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising highlighted the need for over 13 billion US Dollars in investments over the next 5-6 years for hydropower generation, transmission, distribution, and infrastructure for electricity export to neighboring countries.

World Bank Country Director Faris emphasized the Bank's investment in the 1,063 MW Upper Arun Hydropower Project, nearing completion, while stressing the importance of environmental and social protection measures.

ADB's Resident Mission Director Arnaud noted the bank's long-standing partnership in Nepal's energy sector, highlighting the progress of the 635 MW Dudhkoshi Reservoir Hydropower Project.

The Kaligandaki Corridor 220 kV double circuit transmission line and three substations, constructed with investments from GoN, NEA, and a concessional loan from ADB's Asia Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC), aim to integrate electricity from hydropower projects into the national system.

Additionally, the construction of the new Butwal-Gorakhpur 400 kV second cross-country transmission line for power trade with India is underway, further enhancing regional energy cooperation.