The Rastriya Prasaran Grid Company Limited (RPGCL) has signed a grid connection agreement with five hydropower developers, clearing the way for the addition of 607 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Nepal’s national transmission system. The signing ceremony, held on Tuesday, marks a major step forward in enhancing Nepal’s power infrastructure through public-private collaboration.
The agreement was signed by RPGCL CEO Engineer Sagar Shrestha and representatives of the hydropower companies. The projects involved include the 440 MW Tila-91 project in Kalikot, 72 MW Malumela Seti River Peaking and 54 MW Mahakali Seti Semi-reservoir projects in Bajhang, 31.92 MW Upper Mewa Khola ‘A’ in Taplejung, and 9.143 MW Super Daraudi project in Gorkha.
Under this arrangement, RPGCL will construct the required transmission lines and substations to integrate these projects into the national grid. For instance, the Tila project will connect to the Fukot Substation in Kalikot through the 400 kV Karnali Corridor. The West Seti Corridor will facilitate the connection of Malumela and Mahakali Seti to the Chainpur Substation. Upper Mewa Khola ‘A’ and Super Daraudi will be connected via 132 kV lines to the Mewa–Dhungesanghu and Kerabari substations, respectively.
Energy Minister Deepak Khadka, addressing the event, acknowledged Nepal’s underperformance in the energy sector and emphasized the urgency of public-private collaboration to drive faster progress. “Energy is the engine of national development, not just a tool for lighting homes,” Khadka said, citing past delays like the Arun III project that cost the country years of lost opportunity.
Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya supported this view, stressing that partnerships with the private sector will open new doors in hydropower. Similarly, Electricity Regulatory Commission Chair Dr Ram Prasad Dhital highlighted the need for reform in the transmission and distribution segment, which remains a state monopoly despite growth in electricity generation.
RPGCL CEO Shrestha reported that the company is currently building 11 high-voltage transmission lines, with two nearing completion this year. To meet the national target of producing, transmitting, consuming, and exporting 28,500 MW of electricity by 2035, Nepal will require 16,000 circuit kilometers of transmission lines and 40,000 MVA worth of substations.
Speaking for the private developers, SC Power Company’s Iman Singh Gurung defended the private sector’s record in hydropower. “We were once mocked as river brokers, but the private sector has been the true driving force behind Nepal’s hydropower boom,” he said, pointing to their role in tax contributions, employment, and overall economic growth.
This latest agreement marks a milestone for Nepal’s energy ambitions and signals renewed momentum in building the infrastructure needed to harness the country’s vast hydropower potential.Tools
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