KATHMANDU: The government has set a target to increase Nepal’s total installed electricity generation capacity to 5,335 megawatts by the end of the upcoming fiscal year.
According to the annual development programme unveiled by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, an additional 1,040 MW of hydropower generation capacity is expected to be added within one year.
The ministry said special efforts will be made to ensure the timely completion of hydropower projects currently under construction and those nearing completion. It also aims to facilitate private sector-led projects to meet their construction deadlines.
Expansion of electricity transmission infrastructure has also been identified as a key priority.
Under the annual programme, the length of 66 kV transmission lines is targeted to increase from 7,048 circuit kilometres to 7,808 circuit kilometres.
Similarly, the 33 kV transmission network is expected to expand from 8,325 circuit kilometres to 8,429 circuit kilometres.
For the upcoming fiscal year, the government has also set a target of increasing per capita electricity consumption to 511 kilowatt-hours while reducing electricity leakage to 12.03 percent.
The programme further includes adding 43 MW of electricity generation through micro and small hydropower projects and an additional 99 MW through solar energy.
Beyond the energy sector, the government has targeted expanding irrigation facilities to an additional 15,776 hectares of land through implementation of next fiscal year’s policies, programmes and budget.
Likewise, plans include constructing an additional 70 kilometres of embankments along major and medium-sized rivers and reclaiming 210 hectares of land.
According to the ministry, hydropower development is expected not only to meet domestic energy demand but also to accelerate regional economic growth.
Officials believe the sector will contribute to economic development, industrialisation, flood management, environmental protection and job creation.
The ministry has also set a target to complete 12 transmission line projects in the next fiscal year, which is expected to improve domestic electricity flow and facilitate integration of generated electricity into the national grid.
In addition, plans to construct transmission infrastructure passing through the central area of Kathmandu Valley will also move forward, the ministry said.
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