Uttam Bhluon Lama is one of Nepal’s prominent hydropower entrepreneurs. He is not only focused on energy production, but also speaks strongly about its efficient utilization and international trade. To a large extent, he has also been proactive in playing an influential role in shaping the government’s energy strategy.
Hydropower entrepreneur Uttam Bhluon Lama has been steadily expanding his leadership role in the fields of hydropower project construction, operation, and national as well as international energy trade.
With more than a decade and a half of experience in the sector, Lama has announced his candidacy for the post of Senior Vice President of the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN).
IPPAN’s general assembly, which will elect the new leadership, has been scheduled for 12th June. Lama has already unveiled both his vision and his team for the leadership race.
Lama, who has also been contributing to policymaking in Nepal’s water resources and energy sector through IPPAN, says, “We have not yet been able to formulate the kind of policies we envisioned. However, due to our continuous efforts, policies related to Nepal’s energy and water resources sectors have gradually improved. In the coming days, I want to lead policy lobbying efforts aimed at making Nepal energy self-reliant.”
Holding a master’s degree in management, Lama is regarded as a dynamic and successful entrepreneur with expertise in infrastructure projects. He also possesses strong experience in infrastructure financing and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction). In addition, he is actively involved in sectors such as food processing, trade, and agriculture.
Lama, who serves as a board member of Nepal Power Exchange (NEPEX) and as a board member of CEDB Holdings Limited, is currently leading hydropower projects with a combined capacity of more than 600 megawatts.
He describes the investment and growing entrepreneurship in Nepal’s hydropower sector as a “new breed of entrepreneurship.”
Explaining this further, he said, “Nepal previously did not have entrepreneurs with the kind of entrepreneurial spirit now seen in the hydropower sector. Most people were engaged in trade, while very few were involved in productive industries. Individuals who have spent the last ten years in this sector are now leading hydropower projects worth nearly Rs. 70 billion.”
According to Lama, this expertise in the hydropower sector can lead the country toward economic prosperity.
“Electricity generation helps substitute imports, electricity exports generate foreign currency earnings, and overall, the country’s economy becomes stronger. In the coming days, this sector needs to be further organized and advanced,” Lama said.
Lama, who also serves as a board member of NMB Bank Limited, is reportedly being pushed forward for leadership with the backing of more than 80 percent of the 25-member IPPAN executive committee, according to his close associates.
Lama himself also said, “At present, I have the support of around 80 percent of my colleagues in the executive committee. However, if some colleagues present valid reasons against my candidacy, and if someone acceptable to the energy sector emerges, I am ready for discussions. I have entered this field with a commitment to dedicate at least 15 years to it, and I am capable of leading this sector.”
Lama says Nepal’s energy sector is rapidly moving toward self-reliance, and in the coming years the government should focus more on improving the electricity distribution system.
“Because the electricity distribution system remains weak, people still do not feel confident enough to rely fully on electricity. They hesitate to use induction stoves for cooking. As a result, Nepal continues to import cooking gas worth around Rs. 50 billion annually. If the electricity distribution system improves, the money flowing abroad for LPG imports can be reduced,” Lama said.
He also believes the government should hand over hydropower generation, transmission line construction, and electricity trading activities to the private sector. According to him, the government should instead concentrate on improving the distribution system and developing cross-border transmission lines.
“It is not feasible for the private sector to build cross-border transmission lines alone, so the government must invest in them. Apart from that, the rights to electricity generation, transmission line construction, and electricity trading should all be given to the private sector,” he said.
Lama further stated that the government would need to invest at least Rs. 200 billion to build the transmission lines required to connect hydropower projects across the country to the national grid, which he believes is nearly impossible for the state to manage alone.
“The government’s total capital expenditure is around Rs. 400 billion. Just building nationwide transmission lines would require nearly Rs. 200 billion in investment. It is simply not possible for the government to invest all that money on its own. These responsibilities should be handed over to the private sector,” Lama said.
Nepalkhabar
