NINGBO: Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, addressed the 5th Energy Ministers’ Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states today in Ningbo city, Zhejiang Province, China.
Speaking at the conference held under the theme “Integrated Innovation for Energy Future”, Minister Khadka stressed the need to enhance regional cooperation and strengthen frameworks for investment promotion and energy trade, considering the population size, resource base, and potential of SCO member states.
He highlighted the importance of regional unity, innovation, and collaboration in the areas of energy development, grid connectivity, energy security, and sustainable progress.
Highlighting Nepal’s ambitious energy goals, Minister Khadka shared that Nepal aims to generate 28,500 megawatts of electricity by 2035, with a plan to export 15,000 megawatts of power. Currently, the country produces over 3,500 megawatts, and efforts are underway to double that capacity in the near future.
Minister Khadka also noted Nepal’s growing role in cross-border electricity trade. He said Nepal has already started exporting electricity to neighboring countries and recently began supplying power to Bangladesh via India’s grid, marking the implementation of tri-nation energy cooperation.
As a dialogue partner of the SCO, Nepal remains committed to contributing to regional energy cooperation, said Khadka. He reaffirmed Nepal’s position on developing the energy sector through mutual cooperation, environmental sustainability, innovation, and the broader concept of sustainable development.
Minister Khadka had departed for China on Tuesday, June 24, to participate in the meeting.
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