Several buildings in Singadurbar premises have become uninhabitable after the earthquakes of 2015, while many buildings have truss roofs making them unfeasible for solar panel installation, according to officials of Ministry of Energy (MoE).
According to officials, the project, which is expected to be completed within 13 months, is estimated to cost 37 million Yuan (approximately Rs 592 million).
Though the project cost is very high, MoE officials say that the project will be implemented by an entity of the Government of China under Chinese grant assistance. The Chinese side will begin tender process after signing the agreement with MoE.
Though the initial plan was to install solar plant of 5 MW, it was shelved after China offered to install solar plant in grants.
The study to install solar plant in Singhadurbar was completed in December last year after survey work was affected by the earthquake
If implemented, it will be the second largest solar power project in the country. A 25-megawatt solar project is being implemented by Nepal Electricity Authority with the funding of the World Bank.
The government has set a target of generating 100 MW from solar energy within a year as part of the energy development program. The program aims to increase the share of solar energy to 10 to 15 percent in energy mix.
Source : Republica
