Govt to prioritise reservoir-based hydro projects

The government has prioritised the construction of reservoir-based hydropower projects rather than the run-of-the-river type projects.

Talking to media persons following the inauguration of 'Energy Investment Forum in Nepal' organised by Nepal Government and the Asian Development Bank in the Capital on Thursday, Minister for Energy, Post Bahadur Bogati said the Ministry was finalising the work plan for this.

The Budhigandaki Hydropower Project (600MW) near the capital city was in the first priority, he said, adding other projects in priority were the West Seti, Narsing Gaad, Mid Seti (Kaski) and Arun Third.

Similarly, Minister Bogati informed media that 40MW electricity would be added to the national grid this year while 42.2MW the following year. By 2012/13, Nepal will generate 289MW electricity.

Nepal Electricity Authority was directed to prioritize the regulation and control of electricity leakage and theft, he added.

Responding to a query, Minister Bogati said the government would make efforts during the prime minister’s visit to India to import 150MW electricity to Nepal.