KATHMANDU, April 27: The government started work on a 25-megawatt solar photo voltaic power plant in Nuwakot from Friday.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Barshaman Pun, laid foundation stone for the project on Friday. 

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is building this grid-connected solar photovoltaic system. Energy generated from the plant will be directly connected to the national grid.

According to NEA officials, the plant will not only add more energy to the grid but will also help to store the water of peaking hydropower plants when the sun shines so that it can be used to generate energy during mornings and evenings when demand hits peak.

Two weeks ago, a one-megawatt hydropower plant started power generation on Singha Durbar premises. The plant was installed with grant assistance of the Chinese government.

World Bank has provided soft loan of US$ 8 million for the Nuwakot-based plant. Chinese company, Risen Energy, has won the contract to install the plant. 

Solar panels will be laid on the premises of Devighat Hydropower Plant and Trishuli Hydropower Plant. 
The Chinese company is also responsible for maintenance of the plant for five years.  The plant will generate 3 million units of electricity annually. 

The plant is a part of the government plan to have a diverse energy mix plan unveiled in early 2016. The government then announced to general 500 MW from solar power in five years. 

 
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