Minister Ghising Emphasizes Priority for Solar Energy

Kathmandu, Jan 6: Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Kulman Ghising has stated that solar energy must be prioritized in the coming days. 

Addressing the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Solar Electrical Manufacturers Association (NSEMA) today, he mentioned that since solar energy is on the rise in Nepal, it should be kept as a priority. "Solar energy has started connecting to the national transmission grid; if its production can be increased, electricity imports could be reduced," he said.

Minister Ghising stated that the government is preparing to implement standards to advance solar energy. He mentioned that the government is conducting studies for solar energy production on irrigation canals across the country. "The government is working on how the private sector can be involved by producing solar power over irrigation canals," he said.

Noting that neighboring India is producing over 100,000 megawatts of solar energy, he stated that solar energy production could also be increased in Nepal by utilizing the hills in the hilly regions. He further mentioned that transmission lines are being constructed to export 15,000 megawatts of electricity to India.

Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr. Prakash Kumar Shrestha, stated that the impact of climate change is affecting electricity production as rivers are drying up. He remarked that Nepal must prioritize solar energy in the future. Vice-Chairman Shrestha noted that the 16th Five-Year Plan has prioritized renewable energy.

Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Chiranjibi Chataut, stated that the government is working with the goal of achieving full electrification within the next two years. He mentioned that development is gradually taking place in the solar energy sector alongside hydropower.

Executive Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, Nawaraj Dhakal, said that the role played by the association in collaboration with the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre to bring solar energy to remote areas of Nepal where electricity access has not reached is commendable.

Senior Vice-President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Anjan Kumar Shrestha, praised the role played by the association in making solar energy production dignified and organized.

The 25th Annual General Meeting of the association also includes a program to elect new leadership.