At 22nd AGM of IPPAN, PM Dahal urges private sector to invest in hydropower 

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has urged the private sector to confidently invest in Nepal's hydropower sector, citing a recent agreement with India to export 10,000 megawatts (MW) of power over the coming decade.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 22nd annual general meeting (AGM) of the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN) in Kathmandu, PM Dahal characterised the prospect of exporting 10,000MW of power as a historic landmark in the nation's journey towards prosperity. "We have forged a long-term agreement with our neighbour, India, to export 10,000MW of electricity over the next 10 years. Furthermore, we will engage in power trade with Bangladesh via India's transmission lines. The chance to sign such an agreement during my term in office is a historic accomplishment, underscoring our commitment to the path towards prosperity, especially within the context of Nepal's hydroelectricity sector," PM Dahal declared.

The Prime Minister also expressed his hope that an agreement to export Nepal's electricity to Bangladesh will be finalised in the near future.

At the AGM held with the theme, 'Breaking Barriers, Promoting Domestic Investment', Dahal highlighted that the government is initiating various programmes to stimulate power consumption domestically, alongside power export. He indicated that the government is considering the promotion of electric vehicles and appliances to curtail the import of petroleum products and boost domestic electricity usage.

Dahal stressed that electricity is an important sector for the country's development and prosperity and praised the private sector's role in increasing power production.