Kathmandu: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, has confidently declared that the country will no longer experience load shedding. This announcement was made during the inauguration of the 78-megawatt Sanjenkhola Hydropower Project in Rasuwa, where Minister Khadka emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a continuous power supply for both households and industries.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Khadka directed the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to focus on the development of the hydropower sector to eliminate power outages. He expressed optimism about the NEA’s future under the leadership of accomplished engineer Hitendra Dev Shakya. Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to export electricity to neighboring countries, including India and Bangladesh, prioritizing reservoir-based projects.
The Minister called upon the private sector and donor agencies to invest confidently in the hydropower sector, citing an agreement to export 10,000 megawatts of power to India. NEA Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya reinforced the capability of the NEA to end load shedding and urged the public to disregard rumors. He committed to resolving existing issues with the full support of the Ministry.
Wang Xin, Charge d’ Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, praised Nepal’s progress in the hydropower sector and assured continued support from China. The Sanjenkhola Hydropower Project, built at Amachhodingo Rural Municipality-5 with an investment of Rs 22 billion, is now officially connected to the national transmission line. The project was constructed by Sinohydro Bureau-11 of China.