KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has announced that ordinances for necessary legal amendments, aimed at accelerating development and energizing the sector, will be presented in the upcoming parliamentary session in 15 days, with the intention to have them passed within two months.
Addressing the Silver Jubilee event of the Independent Power Producers Association Nepal (IPPAN) in Kathmandu on Friday, Oli said these amendments were crucial for the country’s progress and will prioritize legal reforms as well as infrastructure development.
Oli stated that the government is committed to pushing the country towards prosperity and that industrial revival is high on the agenda. He assured that efforts are underway to restart closed industries under new frameworks, with a focus on revitalizing the country’s energy sector.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the ongoing efforts to establish large-scale industries such as iron ore mines and fertilizer plants within the country, eliminating concerns over energy consumption.
In line with Nepal’s energy needs, Oli mentioned that research is being conducted on producing green hydrogen energy, suggesting that new possibilities in the energy sector must be explored to ensure growth. The government, he said, is investing in energy infrastructure and is equally open to private and foreign investments in the sector.
While addressing the concerns about possible legal issues, Oli assured that the government would address any challenges through appropriate legal remedies and that there was no reason for concern about any court rulings.
During the program, Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, encouraged investors to feel confident about investing in the water resources sector. He pointed out that Nepal’s goal is to maximize domestic electricity production, ensuring national consumption and exporting the surplus for national prosperity.
Ganesh Karki, the President of IPPAN, highlighted delays in project implementation, requesting an additional two years for certain projects. He raised concerns over the Department of Electricity Development’s practice of requiring private sector developers to seek approval from national parks after obtaining licenses for their studies, which he described as a burdensome and time-consuming process.
Karki also called for amendments to the Electricity Bill, emphasizing that the target of 28,500 megawatts of electricity production can only be achieved if the government immediately opens up Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
He expressed concern that recent proposals within the bill—restricting private sector projects to 100 megawatts and allowing the government to build projects without competition—could hinder private sector involvement and stall energy sector development.
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