Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has said that the government was working diligently to take nepal’s energy sector forward on the path of sustainable development.

Inaugurating the 23rd Annual General Meeting of independent power producers’ association Nepal (IPPAN) here today, Minister Khadka shared that the work has already progressed as per the action plan with a target of generating 28,500 MW of electricity in the next 10 years.

Minister Khadka said, “The PPA has been made as per the prime minister’s policy to allow electricity generation in the place where the transmission line has reached.” He also informed that continuous discussions and coordination are being held with the Ministry of Forest to remove the obstacles seen in the production process.

Stating that the role of the private sector in the energy sector is important, Minister Khadka made it clear that there was no hesitation in making the private sector a partner by creating a safe investment environment. “The government alone cannot invest and the participation of the private sector is necessary,” he said.

On the occasion, former Energy Minister Janardan Sharma questioned the intention and working style of the government and criticized it for not signing power purchase agreement on time and not stopping the tendency of grabbing licenses. He asked that question.

“The works that have been stalled since the past have now moved forward,” he said. Minister Khadka said that instead of becoming an obstacle to development by doing one thing when in the government and another thing when outside, everyone should adopt it for the prosperity of the nation.

Minister Khadka pointed out the need to create capital in the energy sector for the prosperity of the country. Acknowledging the importance of small and medium hydropower projects, he said the government was serious about creating an environment for investment in mix energy including solar.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to make the country prosperous and self-reliant by achieving self-reliance in energy production. He also made it clear that the government would further accelerate energy development by amending the laws in a timely manner.