KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said energy is the main basis of economic transformation which creates jobs and spurs industrialization and green development.

During a meeting he had with the officials of the Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) at his office, Singh Durbar today, PM Shah hailed the role of energy sector for promotion of Nepal’s export trade. He informed that government had taken seriously the problems, opportunities and challenges in the energy sector.

IPPAN officials were assured that PM Shah would take move for smooth coordination among stakeholders including the line ministry and Nepal Electricity Authority so that problems facing energy sector would be resolved.

PM’s secretariat informed that discussion was held on energy development, private sectors’ investment in power production, promotion of entrepreneurship and industries and entire issues of national economy.

Other issues surfaced during the discussion were power purchase agreement, PPA facilitation, re-launch of pending project, problems on transmission line and grid access, simplification of acquiring land from forest area, facilitation for renewal of permit, and involvement of private sectors in power trade.

How the security and energy sectors could be ensured investment-friendly atmosphere were also dwelt on by them.

IPPAN delegation was led by its senior vice chair Uttam Blon while PM Shah’s chief advisor Kumar Byanjankar and chief secretary and private secretary attended the meeting.