KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ in an address marking the government’s one-year milestone on Tuesday, unveiled a shift in focus, emphasizing the prioritization of transformative large hydropower projects.
Prime Minister Dahal affirmed that India, Bangladesh, and China are eager collaborators in the nation’s electricity trade ambitions, underscoring the government’s intent to revolutionize the landscape of major hydropower initiatives.
Addressing concerns about resource allocation, Prime Minister Dahal clarified that the infrastructure tax designated for the Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project would be exclusively channeled into the same project, ensuring a robust financial foundation.
He further disclosed that the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has initiated an in-depth study of the 10,800 MW Karnali Chisapani Hydropower Project, slated for completion within three years.
Highlighting progress, Prime Minister Dahal reported the successful conclusion of the study for the 1,902 MW capacity Mugu Karnali hydropower project.
Additionally, he affirmed direct involvement in expediting the 900 MW capacity Arun 3rd hydropower project, currently in implementation, while announcing the imminent closure of investment raising efforts for the 1,063 MW capacity upper Arun project.
Anticipating a significant boost in energy production, Prime Minister Dahal also projected an addition of 564 megawatts from projects undergoing testing commissioning within the next two to three months.
Emphasizing private sector collaboration, he revealed the completion of power purchase agreements for a substantial 9,164 megawatts of hydropower projects, with approximately 2200 megawatts finalized in the current year alone.
Underlining the government’s commitment to irrigation projects, Prime Minister Dahal designated the 678-megawatt Sunkoshi third hydropower project as a priority, citing its potential to augment water supply to the Sunkoshi Marine Diversion and Kamala Diversion irrigation schemes.
He also affirmed his personal involvement in the regular monitoring of such pivotal projects from the Action Room in the Prime Minister’s Office.
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