MORANG: Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Barshaman Pun on Wednesday marked the beginning of the 30-kilowatt capacity solar mini-grid project installed in Miklajung Rural Municipality-1 in Morang district.

Along with the instalment of the project, electrification was done in altogether 75 houses in Aitabare area that was deprived of the central transmission line.

The Asian Development Bank provided Rs 14.5 million in assistance while the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre doled out Rs 1.6 million for the solar power installation. Similarly, the District Coordination Committee provided Rs 600,000 to materialise the solar electrification project.

On the occasion, Minister Pun said that the settlements in the far-flung areas that have no access to the central transmission line would be gradually linked to the solar energy adding that the government has kept in top priority for the supply of drinking water and irrigation facilities from solar pumping.

Minister Pun further said that door to energy cooperation with China and Bangladesh has opened with the formation of the incumbent government and shared that many hydropower and renewable energy projects with small and large scales were initiated in Province 1.

Minister Pun shared that the country has moved ahead in the stage of economic development with the political stability and energy sector was kept in high priority for this.

During the programme, Member of House of Representatives Ghanshyam Khatiwada, Member of National Planning Commission Dr Krishna Prasad Oli, Executive Director of Centre Nabaraj Dhakal and others shared their opinions development prospects through solar energy.