April 18: The Power Summit 2023 kicked off in Kathmandu on Tuesday with the theme 'Broadening Green Energy Markets.'    

The event is being organized jointly by the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) and the Government of Nepal.

Inaugurating the Power Summit on Tuesday, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the Government of Nepal takes great pride in announcing to the world that Nepal today generates more power than it consumes seasonally.    

PM Dahal added that the government recognizes the energy sector as the one that can develop a strong base for prosperity of Nepal.    

He further said that the Power Summit will serve as a means to share and learn the experiences of Nepal and abroad on the best strategies to expand the market for green energy.

"Due to the accelerated pace of development of hydropower projects both from IPPs and state utilities, we anticipate to be a net exporter of electricity by 2025 without any need to import even in the dry season," the state-owned RSS quoted PM Dahal as saying.

Stating that many Nepalese still do not have access to green energy, PM Dahal pointed out that Nepal must continue to expand the grid as well as adopt off grid technologies to make electricity available to all people of the country.    

"If we can expand transmission and distribution lines and ensure a stable power supply,, many more industries can be created," PM Dahal said.

According to PM Dahal, until we build enough infrastructures to utilize the generated electricity internally, we need to export it to protect the huge investments already incurred in the generation side.     

PM Dahal said that the energy generated within the country can be a substitute for fossil fuel in the context that the industries in Nepal still heavily rely on diesel and coal that pollute the environment. The use of clean energy can also help reduce the huge trade deficit, the PM added.