KATHMANDU: The government has announced plans to add an additional 4,500 MW of electricity to the national grid in the upcoming fiscal year.
Finance Minister Barshaman Pun, during the joint session of both houses of the Federal Parliament on Tuesday, while presenting the budget for the fiscal year 2081/82, disclosed that an additional 900 MW of electricity will be added in the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget highlights a special emphasis on the energy sector aimed at increasing total installed capacity.
Currently, the per capita electricity consumption stands at 380 KW, with a target to increase it to 450 KW by the next year.
Minister Pun also announced that Nepal will achieve electricity surplus from 2081/82 fiscal year onwards.
Addressing the demand for clean energy, Minister Pun mentioned that the government has given special priority to the construction of reservoir-based projects.
He further declared the commencement of the construction of the 1,200-MW capacity Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, which is currently in the preparatory stage.
Two financial frameworks have been proposed to ensure financial security for project construction.
Additionally, provisions have been made in the budget for the construction of infrastructure necessary for reservoir-based projects, including dams and powerhouses.
Construction of the 635 MW capacity Dudhkoshi and the 417-MW capacity Nalgad Hydropower Projects will also begin with provisions made in the budget.
The government has set a target to start construction of the 280-megawatt capacity Naumure Hydropower Project from the upcoming fiscal year.
In a bid to secure investments of citizens engaged in foreign employment, the government has announced the commencement of the 77.5 MW Ghunsa Khola and the 70.3 MW Simbua Khola Hydropower Projects.
Under the People’s Hydropower Program, the government has set goals to begin construction of the 100-megawatt Jagdulla, the 99.9-MW Tamakoshi V, and the 210-MW Chainpur Seti Hydropower Projects.
Preparatory work will begin for the Sunkoshi Third Hydropower Project, including finalizing the investment framework for construction.
Management budget has been allocated for the detailed study and engineering design of the 10,800-MW capacity Karnali Chisapani Hydropower Project.
Minister Pun also highlighted the government’s policy to promote the production, storage, and use of green hydrogen.
The construction of transmission lines, including the Dhalkebar-Inaruwa and the Bardibas-Kimti-Lapsiphedi 400-KV transmission lines, will be completed as per the commitment.
The government has set targets for the construction of the Seti Corridor, the Bheri Corridor, and the Budhigandaki Corridor transmission lines.
Budget has been allocated for the construction of the New Butwal-Gorakhpur International Transmission Line.
Arrangements have been made for the acquisition of land for the construction of transmission lines through the provision of shares to the general public in the affected areas.
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