Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal has said that the existing trade deficit can be reduced by exporting electricity. Speaking at a program organized in Lalitpur today, he said that there was a lot of potential for hydropower in Nepal and billions of rupees could be earned by exporting electricity in the future.
Nepal has exported electricity worth Rs 1.72 billion to India in the last one month. Nepal Electricity Authority is exporting 364 MW of electricity generated from five different projects to India. Various studies have shown that technically 43,000 MW of electricity can be generated.
Stating that agriculture, hydropower and tourism are the backbone of the economy, Minister Bhusal said that everyone has the responsibility to make the country prosperous by proper development of hydropower. He said, "Nepalis can become rich by consuming electricity. The country can become prosperous only by exporting more electricity."
Stating that the government aims to electrify the country within the next two years, Minister Bhusal said that maximum use would be made of alternative energy sources including hydropower and solar. Stating that he has emphasized on structural reforms of electrification to provide quality electricity service across the country, he appealed to increase consumption by using electric vehicles and electronic equipment.
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