Mega power conference begins Saturday

KATHMANDU, April 24: The private and public sector hydropower developers from home and abroad, under the patronage of the government of Nepal, will deliberate for two days on the ´possibilities and opportunities´ to harness hydroelectric potential of Nepal. The convention will start on April 25. [break]



The international conference with the slogan "Hydropower for the Progress of Nepal" will dissect the past achievements and bring out recommendations for the future progress in this sector, particularly within the framework of the Hydro Power Policy of the government, which aims at generating 10,000 MW of electricity by 2010. It will draw 150 participants with 61 representatives from India and other foreign investors, the organizers informed at a press meet organized at the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on April 24.



The event has been planned by India-Tech Foundation (ITF), a public trust and an apex industry association serving power and infrastructure sectors based in Mumbai. The co-organizers of the mega conference are FNCCI and IPPAN (Independent Power Producers´ Association, Nepal). Nearly 50 leading technocrats and decision-makers from India are taking part in it.



Sandip Shah, president of IPPAN, said the conference would be a "reality check" to evaluate practicalities facing this sector. He said, "It will look at security situations at project sites, local expectations, export possibilities and in particular four Ps - policy, procedures, practices and perception."



Gyanendra Lal Pradhan, coordinator of Hydropower Development Forum, FNCCI, informed that the project "Janata Ko Bijuli" will be launched within two and half months under the aegis of the government of Norway. He said, "We have identified at least 50 districts with the concept of 5 MW per district. Lamjung has set an example by offering to launch 1,000 MW projects through local initiative." He pointed at the need to generate positive atmosphere for the investors to come to Nepal as, in his words, ´time is now or never.´



Commenting on the vast potential of Indo-Nepal collaboration on hydropower sector and the significance of the conference, Ashish Gupta, secretary general of ITF, said, "There are high chances of Indo-Nepal joint venture projects emerging from this mega conference."

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