Prez Paudel inaugurates Himalayan Hydro Expo 2024

KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Poudel inaugurated the Himalayan Hydro Expo 2024 at Bhrikutimandap Exhibition Hall in Kathmandu, on Thursday.

The Expo, themed 'Green Energy for Prosperity' and organised by the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN), aims to promote electricity consumption and the use of electric vehicles. The expo that began on Wednesday will run till April 26, 2024.

Over 100 energy-related stalls from a dozen countries were set up at the expo. Additionally, discussions were held across seven different technical sessions.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, along with various dignitaries from several governmental and non-governmental organisations.

Addressing the ceremony, IPPAN President Ganesh Karki stated that the expo would also aid the upcoming investment summit. He urged the government to reform policies and simplify procedural issues to increase foreign investment.

Addressing the opening ceremony, President Paudel emphasised the importance of transforming Nepal from an electricity-importing country to an electricity-exporting one. He expressed confidence that more investment would be made in this sector, given that Nepal has opened the market for selling 10,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity within 10 years to neighbouring India. He said, "It is possible to achieve the goals set for power generation with the facilitation and coordination of the government and the involvement of the private sector."

Minister Basnet highlighted the significant potential of hydropower development for Nepal's progress. "The government has brought an action plan to generate 28,700MW of electricity within the next 12 years. Although it looks ambitious, it is based on reality and needs," he added. He also expressed confidence that the upcoming new Electricity Act would facilitate development of hydropower projects and increase investment further.

The Embassy of India is the country partner for the Hydro Expo, which is organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Investment Board Nepal. The government of Nepal has reached an agreement to export 10,000MW of electricity to India in 10 years. A roadmap to produce 28,500MW of electricity with the aim of exporting 15,000MW of electricity to Bangladesh by 2035 has been prepared by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

This grand expo, organised by the private sector, embodies the country's economic prosperity and a bright future for Nepal. The expo is expected to be a suitable platform to increase domestic consumption of electricity produced in Nepal and share knowledge and information about the great potential of export marketing.