Nepal has achieved a significant breakthrough in its energy sector, with the country’s installed electricity capacity reaching 3,878 megawatts (MW), as announced by Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka. The declaration was made during a press conference held to mark the completion of his first year in office.
In the past year alone, 631 MW of new electricity was added to the national grid—a notable increase from the previous average of 3,200 MW. This growth has positioned Nepal to become a power-exporting country. Minister Khadka reported that Nepal is currently exporting over 800 MW daily to neighboring countries India and Bangladesh. Notably, Nepal has received approval to export 941 MW to India and has initiated dollar-denominated electricity exports to Bangladesh, with 40 MW already supplied, generating approximately Rs 1.25 billion in revenue within five months.
Looking ahead, the government has laid out the Energy Development Roadmap 2081, which sets an ambitious target of producing 28,500 MW by 2035. This plan involves an estimated investment of $46.5 billion, with a goal of exporting 15,000 MW to India and Bangladesh, and using 13,500 MW for domestic consumption.
Minister Khadka also emphasized infrastructure and policy progress. Over the past year, the ministry has installed:
- 397 kW of small hydropower capacity
- 603 kW of solar power systems
- 3,584 biogas plants
- 4,142 household solar systems
On the irrigation front, the ministry expanded coverage by 17,308 hectares, bringing the total irrigated land to 1.586 million hectares. Financially, Nepal secured nearly $1 billion in foreign loans and grants to fund energy and irrigation projects.
The government is also pushing forward with key legislative reforms. The Electricity Bill, Water Resources Bill, and Renewable Energy Bill have been tabled in Parliament, while the Water and Weather Policy has already been approved by the Cabinet.
Minister Khadka addressed challenges such as disputes over dedicated and trunk line agreements, stating that negotiations are close to conclusion. The press event, attended by senior officials from the ministry, showcased the government’s strong commitment to driving transformation in Nepal’s energy sector and turning the country into a major clean energy hub in South Asia.
