KATHMANDU, June 9: The government is hopeful that an extra 1,300 MW electricity will be connected to the national grid within the upcoming fiscal year 2020/21.

Speaking at the house of representative meeting on Tuesday, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Barshaman Pun said that the under-construction 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydro Electric Project, Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, Upper Sanjen Hydroelectric Project and Mid-Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project and other projects that are being promoted by the private sector will be completed in the upcoming FY. “They will come into operation resulting in an addition of 1,300 MW electricity to the national grid,” he said. The electricity generation capacity of Nepal is 1,386 MW at present.

The Upper Tamakoshi Project was supposed to be completed within this fiscal year, however, the COVID-19 outbreak delayed the project. According to the ministry, the project will be completed by September and will be commissioned in the transmission line.

The compensation distribution of 1,200 MW Budhi Gandaki Project has recorded 80 percent progress and after its completion, the process for the construction work will proceed in the upcoming FY.

With the aim of developing a huge project in each province, the ministry has assured that the process of development of hydro projects like Dudhkoshi, Upper Arun, Tamkoshi V, Naumure, Chainpur Seti, among others will be started.  

For the management of investment in hydropower projects under the concept of Public Private Partnership, construction works are scheduled to be carried out after the financial management in hydropower projects like Upper Arun, Bheri, Bheri Babai Diversion, Tamakoshi V with funds through the People’s Hydropower Program.

“The development of transmission lines with appropriate allocation has been prioritized in the budget to ensure a sufficient and efficient supply by improving the supply system,” he said, adding, “132 kV and 33 kV substations will be upgraded and expanded to increase the consumption and make the supply efficient.”

The government has allocated Rs 4 billion prioritizing the implementation of rural electrification in FY 2020/21. “Province 2, Bagmati, Gandaki and Province 5 will be fully electrified in the upcoming FY whereas Province 1, Karnali and Sudur Pashchim will be electrified in the next two years by expanding the distribution system,” Pun said. 

He also said that electricity for irrigation and agriculture will be made available with ease and projects under the ministry will be monitored regularly.  

The government has allocated Rs 99.29 billion for the ministry, of which Rs 72.60 billion has been proposed for energy, Rs 26.69 billion for Water Resources and Irrigation. 

 
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