Nepal targets 28,500 MW power, boosts solar in remote areas
Minister Khadka underscored the need to accelerate preparatory work to meet and manage the increasing demand for power.
KATHMANDU: Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka emphasized the government’s continuous efforts to address the widening gap between rising electricity demand and supply across the country.
Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Nepal Solar Power Producers Association on Tuesday, Minister Khadka underscored the need to accelerate preparatory work to meet and manage the increasing demand for power.
Highlighting the vital role of solar energy, particularly in remote areas where national transmission lines have yet to reach, the minister praised the association for illuminating off-grid communities and supporting irrigation through solar pumping systems. “The government has not been able to provide electricity to every household through the grid. In such unreachable areas, the association has played an indispensable role,” he stated.
Minister Khadka disclosed an ambitious government target to generate 28,500 megawatts of electricity within the next decade.
Achieving this goal will focus on integrated development of hydropower, solar, and other renewable energy sources. “Our efforts are geared toward linking electricity production with the livelihood and income generation of every citizen and the nation,” he added.
Despite progress, the minister acknowledged key challenges facing the electricity sector, including environmental impacts, lack of transmission infrastructure, financial constraints, and regulatory hurdles. He stressed that overcoming these obstacles requires strong collaboration between the government and private sector. “Environmental concerns must be addressed as we move forward,” he noted.
The government has pledged policy reforms to resolve issues facing small hydropower projects, implement the energy development roadmap, and accelerate infrastructure development for cross-border electricity trade.
Recent approvals to export 941 megawatts of power to India and initiate a 40-megawatt export to Bangladesh signal promising prospects for Nepal’s energy sector.
