Energy Minister urges developers to get ready for power trade

Minister for Energy Shakti Bahadur Basnet has signaled at allowing the private sector for power trade and urged them to get ready for it. Inaugurating the 21st general assembly of Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal on Thursday, Minister Basnet said that the private sector would be gradually allowed for power trade.

The context has changed immensely after the India visit of the Prime Minister made a breakthrough in energy cooperation and added that the agreement of power export from Nepal to India will be implemented. "This is possible. Get assured that it will be implemented," according to the Energy Minister.

Basnet was of the view that huge investment in infrastructure development is needed in the energy sector as the deal has been made to export our surplus power to India and Bangladesh.

On the occasion, Basnet pledged to move ahead by ending the obstacles since the government has fixed its target in the energy sector. "The basis for the country's prosperity is energy. We are clear on this issue," he said.

Likewise, Basnet said that a campaign would be initiated to increase power consumption in the country with nationwide electrification, increasing power consumption in the industrial sector, substitution of cooking gas for domestic purposes and use of electricity in irrigation systems, and bringing electric vehicles in transportation.

"Now time has come for power trade from the private sector. Be ready for this as the government will join hands together," he said while urging the private power developers' increased role.

Also speaking at the event, Electricity Regulations Commission's Chairperson Dilli Bahadur Singh termed the deal on energy sector signed between Nepal and India in the Prime Minister's recent India visit as a great achievement.