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Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said that increasing electricity consumption and expanding electricity exports should be given priority. He made the remarks while addressing the 41st anniversary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

Minister Shrestha said the government is working to provide reliable electricity to household consumers at affordable rates while ensuring electricity is available to productive industries at stable rates. He said this would help increase national production and reduce production costs.

He also said the government is taking initiatives to introduce seasonal electricity tariffs to maximize the use of surplus electricity generated during the monsoon season, which otherwise may go to waste.

Minister Shrestha said that, alongside increasing electricity generation, the government must now prioritize creating economic and social value from the electricity produced. He said the government is moving forward simultaneously with increasing domestic electricity consumption, strengthening transmission and distribution systems, and expanding external electricity markets.

According to him, electricity access in Nepal has reached 97.6 percent of the population, with more than 5.9 million customers connected to the electricity service. Per-capita electricity consumption has reached around 465 kilowatt-hours, while Nepal is now in a position to export electricity worth nearly NPR 30 billion, he said.

Minister Shrestha said these figures are not merely achievements in the electricity sector but also indicators of the economic and social transformation taking place in Nepal. Noting that the Nepal Electricity Authority has played an important role in energy development for more than four decades, he said the current achievements have been made possible through the collective efforts of the NEA, private sector, development partners, financial institutions and other stakeholders.

He stressed that full utilization of generated electricity would not be possible if the transmission system is not expanded and strengthened in line with increasing generation. Therefore, he said the government is focused on accelerating the construction of strategically important transmission lines, substations, grid-strengthening projects and cross-border transmission infrastructure.

Stating that the government has a clear action plan to develop generation and transmission infrastructure simultaneously so that surplus electricity does not go to waste, Minister Shrestha said the government aims to expand electricity exports to third-country markets and contribute to reducing the trade deficit.

Minister Shrestha said another major priority going forward would be the modernization of the distribution system. While expanding electricity access was the major challenge in the past, he said the current challenge is to provide consumers with quality, reliable and uninterrupted electricity services.

He said replacing old and deteriorated infrastructure, increasing system capacity, adopting smart technologies, controlling electricity losses, managing demand and expanding the use of digital technology in service delivery should now be treated not as options but as necessities.

Noting the need for substantial investment in energy infrastructure, Minister Shrestha emphasized strengthening the NEA’s financial health and investment capacity while creating a favorable environment for mobilizing private and foreign capital. He said public resources must be used prudently after assessing the returns and risks of projects.

Minister Shrestha said that strengthening the NEA should not mean maintaining a monopoly, but rather transforming it into an institution based on institutional capacity, competitive efficiency and public accountability. Noting that the private sector is making significant investments and bearing considerable risks in energy development, he said it is the state’s responsibility to protect and promote private-sector investment.

He said the government aims to end the long-standing “license raj” in the hydropower sector and establish a fair, transparent and competitive system for project development. He stressed the need to create an environment in which investors can invest with confidence in stable and predictable policies rather than fearing policy instability.

Minister Shrestha said the Nepal Electricity Authority should be developed into a modern, professional, transparent, competitive and financially strong institution. He said institutional governance, financial discipline, cost control, effective utilization of assets, investment selection and improvements in service quality should be prioritized.

He said the government’s policy is to gradually decentralize the NEA’s financial and administrative authority so that decision-making becomes faster, responsibilities are clearly defined and service delivery becomes more effective. He urged stakeholders to view structural reforms and the restructuring of the NEA not as an attempt to weaken anyone’s position, but as an opportunity to make the overall energy sector more capable, competitive and investment-friendly.

Presenting NEA employees as a key foundation of the institution’s future and success, Minister Shrestha said the organization’s true success would be measured by the integrity, competence, professionalism, creativity and service orientation of its employees. He said the government is committed to employees’ career development, capacity building and the creation of a safe and dignified working environment.

He urged employees to embrace new technologies and new ways of thinking and to work with a focus on results. Making it clear that there can be no compromise in the responsibility to serve the public, Minister Shrestha said everyone must recognize that rights come with corresponding responsibilities.

He also said the government is clear that the long-disputed issue of outstanding electricity tariff arrears must be resolved in accordance with the law and due process. He informed that NEA management is also addressing the collection of outstanding dues as part of its regular agenda.

Minister Shrestha said electricity is not merely a means of lighting homes but a foundation for employment, industry, agriculture, education, health and overall economic transformation. Noting that the energy sector has now become a major pillar rather than a supporting sector of Nepal’s economic transformation, he said the main responsibility for further strengthening this pillar rests with the Nepal Electricity Authority.

Government Committed to Reviewing Treaties and Agreements in Nepal’s Interest: Foreign Minister Khanal

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has said that the government is committed to reviewing, amending, or renewing bilateral and multilateral treaties and agreements as necessary, keeping Nepal’s national interests at the center.

Speaking at meeting of the House of Representatives, Minister Khanal said that, in accordance with international law and diplomatic practice, the review of treaties and agreements depends on mutual agreement and approval between the concerned states and international organizations.

He said that treaties and agreements would be reviewed at an appropriate time by keeping Nepal’s interests at the forefront and by working in cooperation with friendly countries and relevant international organizations. He added that the process of reviewing treaties and agreements falling under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant ministries is currently underway.

Minister Khanal further stated that efforts are also being made to advance negotiations with the concerned states and international organizations through diplomatic channels and to finalize treaties and agreements that have reached mutual consensus.