Kathmandu. The government has unveiled the ‘Energy Consumption Enhancement and Export Strategy, 2083’ with a target of generating a total of 24,500 MW of electricity by the fiscal year 2092-93 with the investment of the government, public and private sectors.

The strategy includes projects that have been proposed, studied, under construction and ready to go for construction. Apart from reservoir and semi-reservoir projects, solar power projects have also been included in the strategy. The strategy aims to construct the much-talked-about Budhi Gandaki Reservoir Project. The project with a total capacity of 1,200 MW is in the process of being constructed. The government has given priority to the project which has been finalized but is yet to be implemented.

The action plan included in the strategy states that the Raghuganga Hydropower Project will be completed in the near future. The project with a total capacity of 40 MW is in the final stage of construction. Similarly, the 140 MW Tanahun Hydropower Project will be completed by the fiscal year 2085-86.

According to the strategy, the 42 MW Upper Modi A, the 18.2 MW Upper Modi and the 37 MW Upper Trishuli 3B are expected to be completed. The Dudhkoshi reservoir project is expected to be completed by 2091 BS. The project has a capacity of 670 MW.

The 1,061 MW Upper Arun and 417 MW Nalgad hydropower projects will be completed within the same year. Likewise, the 490 MW Arun IV and 439 MW Betan Karnali Hydropower Project will be completed by 2090 BS.

Similarly, the government has set a target to complete the 210 MW Chainpur Seti project by 2087 BS. Special priority has also been given to the 99 MW Tamakoshi Fifth Hydropower Project, 281 MW Naumure and 828 MW Uttarganga Hydropower Project. The Uttarganga Hydropower Project is targeted to be completed by 2092 BS.

Solar projects with a capacity of 1,000 MW to be promoted by the Nepal Electricity Authority will be completed by 2085 BS. Solar projects to be invested and produced by private sector promoters have been selected on the basis of competition. Solar projects have been proposed for the implementation of the concept of energy mixing.

Similarly, projects with a capacity of 3,500 MW to be promoted by government companies and NEA and other subsidiaries will also be completed by 2092 BS. Solar and export-oriented projects promoted by the Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) will also be completed by the same year. The capacity of these projects is equivalent to 14,000 MW.

The government has unveiled a strategy with the goal of providing quality electricity to the consumers, expanding business and promoting exports. The strategy aims to construct 14 internal transmission lines and 10 inter-country transmission lines. The underground distribution system will be completed by 2085 BS.

The plan is to expand electric stoves at households and provide subsidies, expand charging stations across the country to electrify the transport sector, and convert coal boilers into electric boilers.

With the aim of modernizing the agriculture sector, electricity tariffs will be subsidized and hundred percent electric irrigation pumps will be converted. The government plans to fix special electricity tariff for the operation of energy-intensive industries, including the establishment of chemical fertilizers and data centers. {{TAG_OPEN_strong_20}Ramesh Lamsal-RSS