KATHMANDU: Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has called for balanced development of power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure to make the energy sector a key driver of Nepal’s economic transformation.
Speaking at an event marking the 11th anniversary of the National Transmission Grid Company Ltd., Shrestha said Nepal had entered a decisive phase of expanding electricity generation, domestic consumption and cross-border power trade.
He said increasing generation alone would not deliver full economic benefits unless electricity could be reliably transmitted and consumed in productive sectors such as industry, agriculture, irrigation, electric transport and information technology.
Shrestha also highlighted Nepal’s potential to export surplus electricity to regional markets and earn foreign currency. He said expanding high-capacity transmission lines, substations and cross-border infrastructure would require greater investment from the private sector, development partners and financial institutions.
He stressed the use of modern grid-management technology and transparent, cost-based transmission services to create a reliable and competitive electricity market.
Shrestha urged the National Transmission Grid Company to strengthen its institutional capacity and play a leading role in developing strategically important transmission infrastructure.
