. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said that participation of private sector in electricity trade was necessary to make Nepal’s clean, green and reliable energy market competitive.
He said that the government is positively studying whether the existing legal provisions provide adequate basis for this or whether a new law is needed. During a meeting with the office-bearers of Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) at the Ministry on Friday, Minister Shrestha said that despite the significant contribution of the private sector in power generation, adequate opportunities for trade have not opened up yet.
He said that it is necessary to take timely decision on the participation of the private sector in view of the changing energy market and the potential of regional electricity trade. Minister Shrestha said that he was positive on the matter of allowing the private sector to explore international market through business-to-business (B-to-B) model by coordinating with the Nepal Electricity Authority.
He said that electricity trade could become a new investment and business opportunity for the private sector at a time when the energy consumption and export strategy is in the implementation phase. He stressed that the role, rights and responsibilities of the Nepal Electricity Authority should be protected while involving the private sector in the trade and a provision should be made to ensure that there is no impact on the state’s profit. He said that a detailed study is also needed on the open access system, use of common broadcasting infrastructure, distribution of liabilities and digital management of electricity trade.
Minister Shrestha expressed the belief that the expansion of the energy sector would make significant contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्
