Kathmandu, September 6 :

In a fresh attempt to kick-start power trading between Nepal and India, Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal (IPPAN) and PTC India Ltd are jointly organising a Power Summit on September 7 and 8, in Kathmandu.

The two-day long event, which the organisers claim to be the biggest and first of its kind as an initiative from the private sector, will bring together more than 150 delegates including 40 Nepali companies and 25 Indian companies, with diverse interests in the power sector.

“Nepal and India’s partnership in hydropower has been a subject of high interest over the last five decades or so, and it is assuming priority in both countries,” said Dr Sandip Shah, president IPPAN.

“Private enterprise is abundant in both the countries, and needs a platform like this Power Summit for it to come together and give a meaningful shape to this partnership,” he added.

Shah stated that the efforts at the government level now need to be supplemented and complemented by private sector of both countries to harness the hydropower potential of Nepal and to enter into a regional power trade regime.

Stating that tremendous potentials lie between Nepal and India, T N Thakur, chairman and managing director of PTC India said, “Energy trade is fast growing and crossing boundaries. Power trading has a huge scope and could complement each other’s need.”

If we tie up with India in terms of power trading, electricity cost in terms of generation and supply would be cheaper, said Gyanendra Lal Pradhan, general secretary of IPPAN, adding that the problem of load-shedding can be avoided.

According to Independent Power Producers Association, Nepal, the two day long event would primarily focus on hydropower cooperation between Nepal and India alongwith discussions on the regulatory environment and various project development issues impacting the growth of hydropower sector.

The participants include some leading names from Indian and Nepali power sector like Jaypee Group, GMR, IL&FS, ICICI Securities, POWERGRID, LANCO Group, Teesta Urja, Alstom Projects, IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance, SBI Capital Markets from India and Butwal Power Company (BPC), SN Power Invest, Standard Chartered Bank, Everest Bank Limited from Nepal.

Other leading power developers and financial institutions from Nepal are also taking part.