21 July, Kathmandu – Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has stated that electricity produced in the country will no longer go to waste due to a lack of transmission lines.
Speaking at a signing ceremony held at the ministry today for a multilateral memorandum of understanding regarding hydropower development and the construction of a 400 kV transmission line in the West Seti ‘corridor’, he said that the problem of electricity going to waste due to inadequate transmission infrastructure will no longer persist.
“This agreement, which has sparked significant hope in the energy sector, addresses the shortage of transmission infrastructure and paves the way to end the problem of wasted electricity. The government is positive about creating an environment where the private sector can also generate and sell electricity. Efforts are underway to create a conducive environment for the private sector to sell surplus electricity in addition to meeting domestic demand,” he said.
The agreement was signed between Hydroelectricity Investment and Development Company Limited, National Transmission Grid Company Limited, Chainpur Seti Hydropower Company Limited, Chilime Seti Hydropower Company Limited, and Samriddhi Energy Limited, with the aim of collaborating on the development of hydropower projects and transmission infrastructure under the West Seti Corridor.
According to the agreement, there will be multilateral cooperation in the construction, mobilization of financial resources, and operation of the 400 kV cross-border transmission line from Bajhang–Nilegada–Dodhara, as well as three hydropower projects connected to the line—Chainpur Seti (210 megawatts), Seti River–3 (87 megawatts), and Bajhang Upper Seti (216 megawatts).
At the agreement signing program, Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya stated that public-private partnership has become essential in Nepal’s energy sector. He said such collaboration would bring systemic improvements and enhance the effectiveness of national production capacity.
Secretary Acharya stated that this step should be regarded as a milestone toward the nation’s energy security by balancing energy trade, transmission infrastructure, and the flow of private investment to achieve self-reliance.
Most of the projects that have signed the agreement have already completed key stages such as construction permits, environmental impact assessments, power purchase agreements, grid connection, and investment approvals. Studies, design, and land acquisition work related to the transmission line have also been completed.
Source: Online Khabar
