Kathmandu, March 6:

Minister of State for Water Resources Gyanendra Bahadur Karki said that the government has decided to take steps within a month towards realising three mega hydro-electricity projects.

“We are in a position to witness paper works begin for the three mega hydroelectricity projects — Arun III, Upper Karnali and Budhi Gandaki — in a month. This will open door to generation of around 1,000 MW of electricity,” he said.

The Arun III, Budhi Gandaki and Upper Karnali have proven potential to generate 402 MW, 600 MW and 300 MW power respectively.

He said this was addressing a national seminar on Investment of Hydropower Projects - Issues and Challenges, organised by the Nepal National Committee of International Association on Electricity Generation, Transmission and Distribution with association with Nepal Electricity Authority.

Thanks to the changed political scenario, he said adding that well-known international companies have shown interest to invest on the mega projects, which will bring a drastic change in Nepal’s economy.

“The ministry has taken steps to amend the regulations concerned to pave way for easy and secured investment in hydroelectricity for both the domestic as well as international investors,” he said.

“It is a matter of shame that we have been able to produce only 612 MW of electricity out of the vast potential of 43,000 MW,” he said.

Chief secretary Bhoj Raj Ghimire claimed that “water politics” is to be blamed for not being able to draw investment in hydroelectricity.

Meanwhile, Gyanendra Lal Pradhan, chairman of the Khudi Hydro Project (KHP), said today

at a press meet that the KHP, located in Lamjung district, has started producing electricity for the local area.