KATHMANDU :Nepali private sector has said that the Power Trading Agreement (PTA) with India should not limit energy trading to only a handful of players.
Welcoming the formation of a joint panel, representing three political parties, to devise the contents of PTA, Independent Power Producers´ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) said the government, Indian companies and third country developer should also be allowed to export energy to India without any hindrance.
Speaking at a press meet organized in Kathmandu on Wednesday to share its view on PTA, IPPAN President Khadga Bahadur Bisht said there should not be a single nodal agency to export energy. “If such nodal agency has to be created, it should be done in a competitive manner. But there should be a regulating body representing both the countries to institutionalize electricity trading,” he added.
IPPAN also has advised to the government to let the market decide the electricity price. “There should be no tariff, fee, tax, quota and licenses on export of hydropower from Nepal,” IPPAN said in a statement.
The association also said cross-country transmission lines should be constructed jointly by the both the countries. The first such line is being developed jointly by both the countries.
IPPAN, however, has clearly said that PTA should deal only on power trading issue“. “It should not cover other issues related to energy development,” it added.
Full Tex of Press Release-PTA_30July2014
