Government Aims for 30,000 MW Electricity by 2035, Focus on Hydropower and Export

Kathmandu. Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Sarita Dwadi, has stated that the government has set an ambitious target of generating 30,000 megawatts of electricity by 2035, and the upcoming budget is being prepared to support the targeted plan. Speaking at a meeting of the National Assembly's Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee, she informed that large reservoir-based projects and run-of-the-river projects will be advanced in parallel. She clarified that achieving the target would be difficult without policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, and institutional restructuring, and that improvements in these areas would be made through the upcoming budget. The ministry has also stated that a strategy is being prepared to increase domestic consumption of generated electricity and export surplus electricity. Furthermore, the expansion of electricity transmission lines has been given high priority. She also informed that the ministry is moving forward with the restructuring and unbundling process of the Nepal Electricity Authority. She informed that the Electricity Act amendment process has reached its final stage and preparations are underway to present it again in the parliament, and mentioned that the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill has also reached its final stage. Secretary Dwadi said at the meeting, 'The government has set a target of generating 30,000 megawatts of electricity by 2035. There is a need to advance both large reservoir-based projects and run-of-the-river projects. A strategy has been devised to increase domestic consumption of generated electricity and export surplus electricity. Special priority has been given to the expansion of electricity transmission lines. The restructuring and unbundling process of the Nepal Electricity Authority has been advanced. The Electricity Act amendment process is underway and preparations are being made to present it again in the parliament. The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill has reached its final stage. Projects larger than 200 megawatts are being operated through the Investment Board. However, coordination and work division between the ministry and the board need to be clarified further.' Although projects larger than 200 megawatts are currently being operated through the Investment Board, Secretary Dwadi stated that there is a need to further clarify the coordination and work division between the ministry and the Investment Board.