KATHMANDU, JULY 10
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said the energy sector is central to Nepal's economic transformation, industrialisation, job creation and green growth, while assuring private hydropower developers that the government is committed to addressing longstanding challenges facing the industry.
During a meeting with office-bearers of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN) at Singha Durbar on Friday, the Prime Minister said the government had taken seriously the concerns raised by private developers regarding energy production, investment and sectoral growth. He added that the energy sector would also play a significant role in boosting Nepal's export trade.
Shah pledged to coordinate with the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the Nepal Electricity Authority and other relevant agencies to facilitate solutions to issues affecting hydropower development.
According to the Prime Minister's Secretariat, discussions focused on accelerating hydropower development, promoting private sector investment, strengthening the business environment and expanding the sector's contribution to the national economy.
IPPAN representatives raised concerns over delays in power purchase agreements (PPAs), stalled hydropower projects, transmission line and grid access constraints, forest clearance and land acquisition procedures, licence renewals, and greater private sector participation in electricity trade. They also discussed the need to improve investment security and make Nepal's energy sector more investment friendly.
Chief Advisor Kumar Byanjankar, Principal Private Secretary Subas Sharma and Private Secretary Nabin Bhandari attended the meeting. The IPPAN delegation included Senior Vice-President Uttam Bhulon, Vice-Presidents Him Prasad Pathak, Sushan Karmacharya and Uttar Kumar Shrestha, Chief Advisor Ganesh Karki and General Secretary TN Acharya.