May 30: The government aims to provide access of electricity to 100% of the population in remote and inaccessible areas by expanding renewable energy technologies such as small hydropower, solar, and wind in rural households within two years.

During the budget presentation in the parliament on Monday, Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat said that within one year, an additional 900 megawatts of electricity will be added to the national grid.

Approximately 900 megawatts of electricity will be added to the national grid by completing various projects including Rasuwagadhi hydropower of 111 megawatts, 102 megawatts of Madhya Bhotekoshi and 42.5 megawatts of Sanjen Hydropower promoted by Nepal Electricity Authority(NEA) in the upcoming fiscal year.  The total electricity production is projected to reach 3,600 megawatts by the end of the next fiscal year.

To address the electricity demand during dry seasons and to export hydroelectricity, the government will prepare the modality and initiate the construction of the Budhigandaki project with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts and the Dudhkoshi reservoir-based hydropower project with a capacity of 635 megawatts in the next fiscal year.

Last fical year, the government allocated Rs 75.1 billion for the development of the energy sector. This year, Rs 87.45 billion has been allocated, indicating a budget increase of Rs 12.35 billion for the energy sector's development.