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Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, has said that reservoir projects are a high priority for the government.

After the observation of the Kulekhani Hydroelectricity Project on Sunday, the Energy Minister stated that reservoir-based projects should now be promoted as a national priority for Nepal's long-term energy security, industrial development, and overall economic transformation.

Minister Shrestha asserted that the government's main focus in the coming days will be on the development of the reservoir-based projects.

He further stated that such projects would serve as a backbone not only for electricity generation but also for water management, flood control, irrigation expansion, and tourism promotion.

In discussions with employees of all three hydropower plants in Kulekhani, Minister Shrestha mentioned that the importance of structures for water storage for the future has increased, considering the rising natural risks and irregular rainfall due to climate change.

"Climate change has increased the risk of glaciers melting and altering rainfall patterns; in such a situation, there is no alternative to reservoir-based projects for energy security," he added.

Minister Shrestha emphasized the need for increased electricity production during peak hours to support the industrial sector, particularly the data centre and information technology industries.

He directed the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to develop an integrated model for reservoir projects and highlighted the importance of attracting both domestic and foreign investments.

To facilitate this, the government has established a 50-year license period for such projects, aiming to encourage private sector investment. The Minister cited the Kulekhani project as a 'role model' for the country and called for immediate action to address social issues and complaints from local communities.

He noted that waste management has become a significant challenge due to rising tourist activities around the reservoir and urged collaboration with local stakeholders to protect the environment in the Indrasarovar area.

During a recent inspection of the Kulekhani project, Minister Shrestha instructed the demarcation of land within the project area, the management of debris entering the reservoir from floods, and the prompt repair and replacement of outdated equipment.

The Kulekhani project, completed in 1982, is Nepal's first reservoir-type hydroelectric project, with a total capacity of 106 MW, comprising Kulekhani-1 (60 MW), Kulekhani-2 (32 MW), and Kulekhani-3 (14 MW).