KATHMANDU – The government targets to enhance the capacity of the national grid by increasing its capacity to 4500 megawatts by the upcoming fiscal year.
Unveiling the budget for the fiscal year 2081-82 BS (2024-25) before the joint sitting of the Federal Parliament today, Finance Minister Barshaman Pun said 900 megawatts of electricity will be added to the national grid in the upcoming fiscal year.
As the government estimates, the per capita consumption of electricity will be increased from 380 kilowatts to 450 kilowatts. Similarly, the government aims to export Nepal’s electricity to Bangladesh as well from the upcoming fiscal year. As of now, Nepal exports power to India only.
Similarly, the government has prioritized the promotion of reservoir-based projects to address the power needs during winter, pledging to implement the construction of the 1200 megawatts Budhigandaki Hydroelectricity Project.
Similarly, the government pledged to initiate the development of 625 megawatts Dudhkoshi, 417 megawatts Nalgadh, and the 280 megawatts Naumure projects.
The government plans to launch the development of 77.5 megawatts Ghunsha Khola (Stream) and 70.3 megawatts Simbua Khola hydroelectricity projects by securing investment of Nepalis in foreign employment.
Under the People’s Hydroelectricity Programme, the government aims to launch the construction of 106 megawatts of Jagadulla, 99.9 megawatts of Tamakoshi V, and 210 megawatts of Chainpur Seti Hydroelectricity Project.
In addition to these, the government has announced to determine the investment framework for the Sunkoshi III Hydropower Project and begin the feasibility study for the 10,800 megawatts Karnali Chisapani Hydropower Project.
The government has announced to pursue a goal of promoting clean and renewable energy to replace the use of traditional energy to achieve the goal of zero carbon emission by 2045.
It has announced to pursue a policy of encouraging the production, storage, and use of green hydrogen, pledging to conclude the construction of the Dhalkebar-Inaruwa Transmission Line and Barhabise-Khimti-Lapsifedi transmission line within the next fiscal year.
It aims to initiate the construction of the Seti Corridor, Bheri Corridor, and the Budhigandaki Corridor Transmission Lines and to conclude the construction of the New Butwal-Gorakhpur Transnational Line and, allocate the budget for the construction of the Inaruwa-Poornia, Dododhara-Bareli Transmission Line.
The Finance Minister informed the house that the government has allocated a budget of Rs 50 billion 740 million to the energy sector in the upcoming fiscal year.
