The government has expedited works for installing solar energy system of 25 mw by mid-March next year.
The move is to solve the energy crisis of the country by adopting all methods for solving load shedding problem stated in the budget statement of the current fiscal year.
Energy Minister Radha Gyawali who declared to make special efforts for resolving the energy crisis as soon as she took the helm of the Ministry, has told to install solar energy by searching a proper place for installing it after forming a task force for searching land with Senior Divisional Engineer of the Department of Electricity Development and high official of the Ministry.
The team has taken areas of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) projects in first priority. It will be installed in one place among the areas of mid- Marsyangdi, Marsyangdi hydel, Devighat, Kulekhani, Helambu and Farping. NEA has been given the responsibility to find which will be the best place. NEA Officiating General Manager Ram Chandra Pandey said it will be installed by mid March next year as declared by the government.
Similarly, private sector has also targeted to generate 25 mw solar power within the current FY.
It has also made commitment and in this FY, 50 mw will be added to national grid of NEA this winter. But if the appropriate place was not found, it could be delayed.
The government aims to generate 100 megawatt with public-private partnership, 50 mw from private and 25 mw with World Bank aid.
Government project of solar energy is expected to cost Rs. 15 billion.
The minister has directed underlying bodies for it, but experts have objected as solar was emphasized in place of hydel projects.
NEA said power demand will be 1,350 mw in next winter, but only 38 mw will be added from hydel projects.
Fifty mw will be brought from international transmission line.
Government has given survey licenses for three promoters for solar, including the People’s Development Company for 50 mw of solar power.
The company will install at Jamune of Tanahu district.
Likewise, Nepal White Power has received license for 49 mw in Kavresthali in Kathmandu and Elegance Company for five mw. If they are completed, 104 mw will be added to the national grid.
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