Nepal aims for 28,000 MWs electricity production in 12 years, secures markets in India and Bangladesh

KATHMANDU: Private sector investors in Nepal have announced their ambitious commitment to generate 28,000 megawatts of electricity within the next 12 years, targeting secured markets in India and Bangladesh. The Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN) unveiled this vision during the ‘IPPAN Day’ event, marking their 23rd anniversary.

The private sector aims to achieve a production capacity of 10,000 megawatts in the first decade of this 12-year plan. With a focus on securing markets in neighboring India and Bangladesh, both the government and private sector are aligned in their commitment to adopting a centralized approach to electricity production.

Currently, Nepal has connected 2,800 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. The private sector has played a significant role in contributing 167 projects, amounting to a total of 2,154 megawatts, representing almost 76 percent of the country’s installed capacity.

Balaram Khatiwada, the General Secretary of IPPAN, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector to achieve this ambitious goal.

Ganesh Karki, Chairman of IPPAN, emphasized the critical focus on transmission lines. He pointed out that the challenge extends beyond generation to effective transmission, especially considering the escalating demand for electricity.

Karki urged the government to collaborate closely to address obstacles hindering private sector contributions and to provide necessary support for their involvement in the transmission sector.

Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Minister of Energy, assured that the government is actively working to break barriers in the private sector’s momentum within the energy field.

Stressing the need for collaboration between the government and the private sector, especially in the transmission sector, Minister Basnet recognized the vital contribution of the private sector. He expressed the government’s commitment to resolving concerns raised by private investors.

Ganesh Karki further said that the positive discussions during the ‘IPPAN Day’ reflect a promising direction towards achieving the ambitious electricity production target. The collaboration between the government and the private sector is deemed crucial for overcoming challenges and ensuring sustainable development in Nepal’s energy sector. The private sector’s increased involvement and the government’s proactive engagement signal a positive trajectory for Nepal’s energy future.