KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka and US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson held a meeting at the Ministry in Singha Durbar today.
On the occasion, they discussed various aspects of energy cooperation between the two countries and the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project.
During the meeting, Energy Minister Khadka stated that although the projects being carried out under the MCC project are progressing, the MCC has been on hold for some time, which has created some uncertainty.
He expressed the confidence that the MCC project would be continued and expected the US’s additional assistance in the energy sector.
During the meeting, US Ambassador Thompson said the United States will continue to support and cooperate in Nepal’s energy sector. He mentioned that all possible initiatives and efforts are being made to advance the MCC project.
He said the support that is needed to be provided by the Government of Nepal to continually advance the projects being carried out under the MCC.
As per an agreement signed under the MCC, the US is supposed to invest 500 million dollars while Nepal would spend 197 million dollars for the MCC-funded MCA project.
Under this project, the construction of the 400 kV transmission line and associated substations will take place from Lapsiphedi–Ratmate, Ratmate–Damauli, Damauli–Butwal, and Butwal to the Nepal–India border (Gorakhpur).
Representatives of MCC and the MCA, as well as the Ministry’s senior officials, were present at the meeting.
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