Kathmandu: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has highlighted the government’s focus on energy and irrigation as key areas for advancing Nepal’s prosperity. Addressing lawmakers’ inquiries about the government’s policies and budget for the fiscal year 2082-83 BS, Minister Khadka revealed a budget allocation of Rs 38.46 billion for his ministry.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Minister emphasized the implementation of government policies and programs in an effective manner. Plans include establishing a reliable hydrology and meteorological forecasting system, systematizing mountains and glaciers, expanding deep tube wells, and implementing integrated river basin irrigation and water resources management programs. Additionally, projects of national importance such as the Bagmati, Sunsari Morang, Praganna and Badkapath, Greater Dang Valley, and Bheri corridor irrigation projects have been prioritized.
The budget also addresses river control efforts, land management, and water resource conservation, aiming to expand irrigation facilities to an additional 14,000 hectares in the upcoming fiscal year. New technologies will be promoted for river control, and funds have been allocated to achieve the target of generating 28,500 megawatts of electricity by 2035. Of this, 13,500 megawatts will be used domestically, while 15,000 megawatts are slated for export.
The Minister announced plans to draft a new Act related to renewable energy and energy efficiency, alongside restructuring the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre. Currently, 97 percent of Nepal’s population has access to electricity, with a goal to increase access to 97.5 percent in the coming fiscal year.
Minister Khadka also discussed the appropriateness of signing power purchase agreements under the ‘take or pay’ provision for small hydropower projects up to 10 megawatts and large ‘run-of-river’ projects with assured consumption or export potential. Investment frameworks have been established for major reservoir-based projects, including Dudhkoshi, Upper Arun, and Nalgad, with construction set to commence. Furthermore, a public-private partnership model will be utilized for developing the Budhigandaki Hydropower Project.