Kathmandu, September 28
Nepal and China have agreed to form an expert panel and working mechanism for energy cooperation between the two nations.
The meeting of Nepal-China joint implementation mechanism on energy cooperation led by the energy secretaries of both the countries has decided today to plan on how to bring investment in the energy sector of Nepal.
“We have agreed to develop the energy sector of Nepal through planned investment based on mutual understanding by prioritising the projects,” said Kul Man Ghising, managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority.
The meeting was held following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation by Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barsha Man Pun and his Chinese counterpart Nur Bekri during state visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China in June.
A nine-member delegation from China was led by He Yang, deputy director general, National Energy Administration of China and the seven-member Nepali delegation was led by Anup Kumar Upadhyaya, secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.
As per Ghising, joint implementation mechanism meeting focused on energy cooperation, power system scenario, investment perspective, power markets and future plans, among other issues so as to make members of both delegations familiar with energy sector in each other’s country.
Moreover, the meeting also deliberated on possible energy collaboration. Possibilities on developing cross-border interconnection were also explored in the meeting.
The two sides also agreed to facilitate joint investment in power sector of both nations.
Initially, agenda included discussions on Galchhi-Rasuwagadhi-Kyirong 400kVA cross-border transmission line and cross-border transmission line from Sankhuwasabha to Tibet, but talks on aforementioned projects were put off for the next meeting.
This was the first meeting of Nepal-China joint mechanism on energy cooperation.
Source: The Himalayn Times
