Ministry of Energy publishes White Paper with time-bound plans to make us energy-independent; 26 new energy projects coming on, at least one BIG project for each province

On Baisakh 25, 2075 The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation published a White paper giving an overview of the current performance and future plans regarding the Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation sector. The 34 page long description gives a detailed information about the said topic, however the most important ones are highlighted further in this article.

Currently, in our country 172 Hydro projects (HDP) are under construction, who have a joint capacity for 4,642 MW electricity. Similarly, 244 HDP (4138 MW) has already signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), of which 73 HDP (511 MW) has started their commercial production.

This is the current picture, however what excites us more are the future plan that the Ministry has promised. The commitments include:

Construction of energy generation projects in each province

With the Federal system kicking in, the state governments also need to be financially independent to bring about the change they want to. So in order to make each province independent in energy generation and consumption, following plan has been endorsed by Ministry for each province:

Province 1:

762 MW Tamor Jalasaya

800 MW Dudhkoshi Jalasaya

725 MW Upper Arun Picking run-off-the-river

450 MW Kimathanka Arun Picking run-off-the-river

372 MW Arun-4 Picking run-off-the-river

679 MW Lower Arun Picking run-off-the-river

Province 2:

More than 200 MW from Solar power

Province 3:

1110 MW and 536 MW Sunkoshi 2 and 3 Jalasaya based project

101 MW Tamakoshi-5 Jalasaya based project

500 MW Khimti Shivalaya Jalasaya based project

111 MW Kokhajor Jalasaya based project

Province 4:

1200 MW Budigandaki Jalasaya based project

140 MW Upper Seti Jalasaya based project

828 MW Uttar Ganga Jalasaya based project

180 MW Aadhi Khola Jalasaya based project

Province 5:

245 MW Naumure Jalasaya based project

287 MW Kaligandaki 2 Jalasaya based project

253 MW Madi Jalasaya based project

100 MW Upper Jimruk Jalasaya based project

Province 6:

410 MW Nalgaad Jalasaya based project

426 MW Fukot Karnali Picking run-off-the-river

100 MW Jagdulla Picking run-off-the-river

Province 7:

750 MW Paschim Seti Jalasaya based project

276 MW SR-6 Hydro electric project

210 MW Chainpur Seti Picking run-off-the-river

            Apart from these, the White paper also presents various other plans that is dedicated to develop the production and consumption of renewable energy sources like electricity, solar power, bio-waste etc. Some of those plans are:

1. Construction and implementation of Inter Basin Transfer within 3 years.
2. Changing the energy consumption pattern and encouraging the usage of electricity instead of fossil fuels. The Ministry is planning to increase the consumption of electricity per person to 700 KWH (Kilo watt per hour) in 5 years and to 1500 KWH in 10 years.
3. Making our country self-sufficient in energy within 3 years.
4. Providing opportunity to each citizen here or abroad, to own shares of Hydropower companies. The projects selected for this campaign are:
   1. Upper Arun (725 MW)
   2. Arun 4 (400 MW)
   3. Lower Arun (400 MW)
   4. Kimathanka Arun (500 MW)
   5. Bheri Babbai Diversion (48 MW)
   6. Fukot Karnali (500 MW)
   7. Tamakoshi8 – 5 (101 MW)
5. Promoting roof-top solar installation by providing net metering and net payment system.
6. Implementation of Smart Meter System throughout the country within 5 years.
7. Internal and external wholesale and retail trade of energy
8. Master plan preparation for electricity distribution model for each Province within next year.

This full White Paper is attested below: