Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal Elects New Leadership

Kathmandu. Electoral heat has increased for the selection of new leadership of the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN). A panel led by current Vice President Uttam Lama Bhlon has been announced for the General Assembly to be held on Jestha 29. As per the IPPAN statute, the Senior Vice President automatically becomes the President for the next term, hence Bhlon has announced his candidacy for Senior Vice President. At a program organized in the capital, he unveiled his team and his 'IPPAN Vision 2029' for the upcoming three-year term. Bhlon's panel includes Uttam Kumar Shrestha, Him Pathak, Susan Karmacharya, and Vikram Bisht as Vice Presidents. T.N. Acharya has been put forward for General Secretary, Kabita Kandel for Deputy General Secretary, and Narendra Ballabh Pant for Treasurer. Vijay Mohan Bhattarai, Kubermani Nepal, Suman Joshi, Shankar Basnyal, and Abigya Mall have been nominated for the post of Secretary, while Anup Acharya, Jagat Bahadur Pokharel, Kadam KC, Barnan Lamichhane, Isha Shrestha, and Pratima Gyawali are members. The 'Vision 2029' unveiled by Bhlon's team has pledged to make Nepal self-reliant in energy and establish it as the main basis of economic prosperity. Bhlon stated that the government has set a target of generating 30,000 megawatts of electricity in 10 years, which will require an investment of more than 50 trillion rupees, and the role of the private sector will be decisive. He said he would work to reopen the power purchase agreements (PPAs) for projects exceeding 12,000 megawatts that are currently stalled and to resolve transmission line issues. Bhlon highlighted the need for policy reforms for the rapid development of the energy sector and proposed increasing the duration for hydropower project licenses from 35 years to 50 years. His vision paper also mentions providing concessional loans at an interest rate below 7% for the energy sector and implementing a 'one-door system' to end delays related to forests, environment, and administration. Unveiling Vision 2029, Bhlon said, 'The private sector's contribution to Nepal's total electricity generation is above 80%, but challenges such as PPA, transmission lines, and policy ambiguities still persist. Rapid development of the energy sector is not possible without resolving these challenges.' He also presented a plan to pursue diplomatic initiatives with India and Bangladesh for electricity export with the goal of making Nepal the energy hub of South Asia.