IPPAN election heats up: Two panels compete for leadership with competing agendas for Nepal’s hydro future

KATHMANDU: Election fever has gripped the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) as independent power producers prepare to elect a new leadership team during the association’s general assembly on Jestha 29.

With the leadership transition approaching, hydropower entrepreneurs and investors have intensified campaigning, making this one of the most closely watched elections in Nepal’s energy sector. The outcome is expected to shape policy advocacy, power purchase agreements (PPAs), investment mobilization, energy exports, and regulatory reforms at a time when Nepal is pursuing ambitious electricity generation targets.

Under IPPAN’s statute, current Senior Vice President Mohan Kumar Dangi is set to automatically assume the presidency. The primary electoral contest is therefore focused on the position of senior vice president and other executive posts.

Two Panels Face Off

Two competing groups have entered the race, led by prominent hydropower entrepreneurs Balram Khatiwada and Uttam Lama Bhlon.

Khatiwada’s panel was formally announced on Wednesday and includes representatives from major corporate groups involved in Nepal’s hydropower sector, including Dugad Group, Api Group, Golyan Group, Sanima Group and Nyadi Group, along with several experienced industry leaders and women entrepreneurs.

Under Khatiwada’s team, candidates for vice president include Bharat Bahadur Khatri, Bharat Prasad Nepal, Kumar Kharel and Deepak Poudel, while Srijana Khadka is contesting for the position of women vice president.

Current Deputy General Secretary Prakash Dulal is running for general secretary from the same panel. Other candidates include Krishna Prasad Ghimire, Tara Bahadur Isbo Limbu, Birendra Malla, Sangita Dhamala and Isha Shrestha for secretary positions, Mithun Poudel for treasurer, and a team of candidates for executive membership.

Meanwhile, the rival panel is led by current Vice President Uttam Lama Bhlon, who is contesting for the post of senior vice president.

Bhlon’s team has nominated Uttar Kumar Shrestha, Susan Karmacharya, Him Pathak, Bikram Bista and Narendra Ballabh Pant for vice president positions. TN Acharya is contesting for general secretary, Kavita Pokharel for deputy general secretary, Shankar Basyal for treasurer, while Kuber Mani Nepal, Abhigya Malla, Isha Shrestha, Suman Joshi and Vijay Mohan Bhattarai are competing for secretary positions.

Khatiwada Panel Focuses on Institutional Strengthening

Khatiwada’s group has presented an agenda centered on institutional reform, governance enhancement and stronger support services for hydropower developers.

The panel has pledged to transform IPPAN into a more inclusive and united organization by bringing new members into leadership positions.

“We are committed to institutional development, good governance and the professional advancement of all energy entrepreneurs while maintaining professional integrity,” Khatiwada said while unveiling the panel’s agenda.

Among its key proposals are:

• Establishment of a dedicated help desk at the IPPAN secretariat.
• Formation of expert advisory sub-committees.
• Construction of an independent IPPAN administrative building within the next three years.
• Stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and the Nepal Electricity Authority to support Nepal’s target of producing 30,000 MW of electricity within a decade.
• Immediate opening of PPAs for nearly 16,000 MW of hydropower projects.
• Policy advocacy to reduce delays in forest land utilization approvals and tree-cutting permits.
• Extension of RCOD deadlines by three years for projects affected by floods and landslides.

Bhlon Team Unveils ‘IPPAN Vision 2029’

The Bhlon panel has launched its strategic roadmap titled “IPPAN Vision 2029,” outlining priorities for the next three years.

The vision document emphasizes:

• Reform of power purchase agreement policies.
• Legal and regulatory improvements.
• Easier access to investment and financing.
• Accelerated transmission infrastructure development.
• Expansion of electricity exports.
• Simplification of forest and environmental approval processes.

The panel has committed to opening PPAs for more than 12,000 MW of hydropower projects and reviewing the existing “Take and Pay” arrangement in favor of a stronger “Take or Pay” mechanism sought by developers.

The group has also pledged to push for policy changes allowing greater private-sector participation in electricity trading, a key demand of Nepal’s hydropower industry as cross-border energy trade opportunities expand in South Asia.

High Stakes for Nepal’s Hydropower Sector

The election comes at a critical moment for Nepal’s energy industry. Developers continue to seek solutions to long-standing issues including PPA bottlenecks, transmission constraints, financing challenges, environmental approvals and market access.

With 683 eligible voters set to cast ballots, the contest is expected to determine which vision gains the mandate to represent private hydropower developers and engage with the government on policies that could shape the next phase of Nepal’s energy expansion and regional power trade ambitions.