Kathmandu: Kulman Ghising, widely credited with ending load shedding during his tenure at the Nepal Electricity Authority, has once again come into the spotlight for his performance less than 100 days after assuming ministerial office. Ghising, who currently holds responsibility for three key ministries—Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Physical Infrastructure and Transport; and Urban Development—has made public details of 101 concrete initiatives undertaken during his 100-day tenure.
Presenting the report at a press conference, Ghising outlined clear priorities: reviving stalled projects, accelerating delayed decision-making, and refusing to compromise with non-performing structures. Under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation alone, 31 major policy and administrative decisions have been taken.
One of the most closely watched issues has been the dedicated and trunk line electricity dues dispute. Ghising stated that by advancing the recovery of arrears that had remained unresolved for years due to political pressure and indecision, the government has sent a strong message that “the law is equal for all.”
To prevent a recurrence of load shedding, the ministry has focused on strengthening electricity generation, transmission and distribution systems; expanding the export of surplus electricity to India during the monsoon season; implementing timeline-based monitoring of large hydropower projects; and conducting field-level monitoring of irrigation projects that had stalled despite allocated budgets.
Ghising said that an investment modality has been prepared to construct the 1,200 MW Budhi Gandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project using domestic investment, with an estimated cost of approximately Rs 374 billion, and has been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for approval.
Similarly, the investment framework for the 1,063 MW Upper Arun Hydropower Project, estimated to cost Rs 213 billion, has been finalized. The project will mobilize domestic investment, including participation from Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs), Nepalis working abroad, project-affected communities, and the general public, and has also been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for approval.
Major Works Under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation
Collection of long-pending dedicated and trunk line premium dues has begun in installments. Even industries that had stopped paying after initial installments have resumed payments.
To minimize loss of life and property during this year’s monsoon, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology issued special weather and flood bulletins and disseminated forecasts in a timely manner. On-site inspections were conducted in vulnerable areas of the Kathmandu Valley, significantly reducing disaster impacts.
The investment modality for the Budhi Gandaki Reservoir Hydropower Project (1,200 MW) has been finalized and submitted to the Ministry of Finance.
Financial arrangements have been completed for the Upper Arun Hydropower Project (1,063 MW), while a term sheet has been signed with banks and financial institutions for the 210 MW Chainpur Seti Hydropower Project.
Construction of the 102 MW Madhya Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project, led by the Nepal Electricity Authority and its subsidiary Chilime Hydropower, has been completed and commercial power generation has commenced following grid connection.
Electricity worth approximately Rs 19 billion has been exported to India and Bangladesh.
A framework for constructing transmission lines through Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) has been prepared and sent to the Nepal Electricity Authority and National Transmission Grid Company Limited for implementation.
A high-level committee, coordinated by the Energy Secretary, has been formed to draft a new Electricity Development Policy, and work is underway.
A policy for the construction and operation of electric vehicle charging stations has been approved and forwarded for implementation.
Letters of intent have been invited to develop 14 hydropower projects under the BOOT model (Build, Own, Operate and Transfer).
A decision has been taken to establish Irrigation Management Company Limited to irrigate 22,500 hectares of land in Sarlahi and Rautahat districts by installing 500 deep tubewells in the initial phase using modern mechanical technology.
Energy generation, transmission, distribution, hydropower, water resources and irrigation projects promoted by both the government and private sector have been declared national priority projects, with notifications published in the Nepal Gazette.
A study committee has proposed policy arrangements to enable farmer-led investment in hydropower generated from multipurpose projects, including Ranijamara Kulariya. The final report has been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for feedback.
Another study committee has finalized recommendations on producing solar energy over irrigation canals to discourage the use of agricultural land for solar farms. Preparations for the Policy on Utilizing Government Land for Commercial Solar Energy Production, 2082 BS, are in the final stage.
The Nepal Electricity Authority and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited have signed Joint Venture and Shareholders’ Agreements to jointly construct the Inaruwa–Purnia and Dododhara (Bareilly) 400 kV cross-border transmission lines, enabling power trade of up to 5,000 MW by 2030.
The 17th Nepal–India Joint Technical Team (JTT) meeting, held in Pokhara on 3–4 November 2025, reassessed transmission capacity, enabling Nepal to export up to 1,500 MW and import up to 1,400 MW of electricity through Dhalkebar routes.
Approval has been granted to the Nepal Electricity Authority to issue energy bonds worth Rs 20 billion to mobilize investment for hydropower projects.
A proposal to issue 20 percent shares of the Nepal Electricity Authority to the general public has been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance.
Nepal and Bangladesh have agreed to import an additional 20 MW of electricity, on top of the existing 40 MW, following bilateral secretary-level meetings.
Details of reconstruction and rehabilitation works for structures damaged by the 2082 BS monsoon disasters, along with budget requirements for drought-affected areas in Madhesh Province, have been submitted to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
Systems have been established to address service-related complaints, including email and QR-based communication directly with the minister.
Of the 33 sick contracts under the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, termination procedures have been initiated for 22 contracts.
Due to poor performance, the civil construction contract for the Sunkoshi Marine Diversion Multipurpose Project, a national pride project, has been terminated, and the process for awarding a new contract is underway.
Clear criteria for employee transfers within agencies under the ministry have been formulated and implemented.
The Council of Ministers has taken necessary decisions to facilitate hydropower projects located in conservation areas.
The Nepal Electricity Authority Board has approved take-or-pay Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for hydropower projects up to 10 MW to encourage small investors.
The 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, damaged by floods, has been partially restored, with 37 MW from one unit already connected to the grid.
Land has been secured within Singha Durbar for the construction of a 132 kV substation to ensure reliable electricity supply at the main administrative complex.
As part of a long-term modernization strategy, 13 grid substations have been automated, with seven becoming operational during this period. Additionally, a draft guideline on electricity trading from reservoir-based hydropower projects has been prepared through the Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Ghising stated the focus ahead will be on implementation, accountability, and timely completion of projects, stressing that visible results and public trust will define the government’s performance going forward.