The agreement to trade 365 MW of electricity with India is important for Nepal, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB). According to ADB, this work is a leap forward in Nepal’s energy sector.
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal was accompanied by Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Shixin Chen.
Expressing confidence that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) would continue to provide assistance in the field of hydropower and water resources, Chairman Chhin said that they were monitoring the implementation status of 10 important ADB-invested projects.
He suggested to focus on the internal consumption of electricity and stressed on the need to replace the coal-fired industries with electricity.
During the meeting held at the Ministry, they discussed about the implementation status of various projects related to the Ministry of Energy and Irrigation with the investment of ADB.
On the occasion, Minister Bhusal thanked ADB for its support to Nepal’s development and expressed confidence that significant assistance would be provided in energy production and distribution in the coming days. Minister Bhusal said that cooperation with international bodies was expected as Nepal could be made prosperous through the development of energy and irrigation sector.
Stating that important cooperation between Nepal and India in the energy sector has started recently and electricity trade has started, Minister Bhusal said that the policy way is still open to trade at the regional level by completing major projects in Nepal.
“Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal have a policy understanding on energy trade,” she said. Within a few years, we will be able to export electricity to those countries.
Stating that the Ministry of Energy is preparing to provide quality electricity for 12 months in the coming days, Minister Bhusal urged ADB to invest in hydropower projects.
She also expressed confidence that ADB’s assistance would be extended to the construction of east-west transmission lines. Secretary Devendra Karki, Secretary Water Resources and Irrigation Sagar Kumar Rai, Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority Kulman Ghising and ADB Country Director for Nepal Arnaud Kausi were also present at the meeting.
