The Ministry of Energy (MoE) has issued a white paper incorporating the current status of the country’s energy sector and its action plan to implement priority projects and reform measures to bring tangible changes in the power sector.

The white paper, unveiled by Energy Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, has fixed the priorities for optimum utilisation of water resources to achieve economic prosperity. The MoE has envisioned to enhance the quality of electricity supply as well as to improve the situation of energy security.

Unveiling the white paper, Energy Minister Shahi said that he will give due priority to the implementation of National Energy Crisis Prevention and Electricity Development Decade — the Energy Ministry’s 10-year vision to develop 10,000 megawatts of electricity.

In addition to this, the MoE has prioritised crucial reform measures to expedite projects — generation and transmission and bring about transformative changes in the distribution system of electricity.

The paper unveiled today has also given high priority to energy efficiency, net metering facility for users of solar power to encourage them to utilise alternative energy sources mainly solar, and introducing smart metering system. It has also prioritised upgrading the capacity of existing distribution system through installation of high capacity transformers and cables to make the distribution system robust.

The MoE also expects the aforementioned initiatives to control electricity leakage. The white paper also includes the provision to recover outstanding electricity dues, and provide necessary facilitation in bill-payment through effective implementation of e-payment and mobile payment systems.

The paper also includes guidelines for Engineering, Procurement, Financing and Construction (EPFC) contract to develop multi-purpose and large-scale projects.

It has also pledged to provide grid connection facility for electricity produced by sugar mills and solar plants developed by the private sector. To eliminate load-shedding from the country, the MoE has given priority to develop energy-mix, promoting solar energy, import additional power from India, and encourage users to utilise power-efficient electric products, among others.

The MoE, through the white paper, has also stressed on early operationalisation of subsidiary companies registered by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), namely generation company, national grid company, engineering company and power trade company. The ministry expects an additional 600 megawatts of electricity will be added to the national grid by the middle of next fiscal along with completion of Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectricity Project and projects being developed by independent power producers.

The paper has also pledged to expedite projects being implemented by NEA, namely Chameliya, Trishuli 3A, Kulekhani III and some other projects being developed by the subsidiary company of NEA — Upper Tamakoshi, Rasuwagadi, Middle Bhotekoshi and Sanjen, among others.

Transmission line projects have also been given high priority with a pledge to complete the construction of East-West 400 kV transmission line, Butwal-Gorakhpur cross-border transmission line and transmission lines in Karnali, Bheri and Seti corridors within five years. The white paper has also envisioned upgradation of the only load dispatch centre of NEA at Kalanki in Kathmandu and also establish load dispatch centres at the regional level.