February 4: The government has advanced study of 20 hydropower projects for the development of 5,763 megawatts of hydroelectricity.    

The Department of Electricity Development is carrying out study of eight projects of 100 MW capacity each. Likewise, 12 other projects having capacity less than 100 megawatts are also being studied. If things go as planned, the government is preparing to advance the development of those projects.    

The department is also carrying out the feasibility study of Khimti Those Shivalaya Hydropower Project of 1,720 megawatt capacity.    

Furthermore, the officials are also working on the study of 844 megawatt capacity Kaligandaki Multipurpose Project in the Kaligandaki River.    

Likewise, the feasibility studies of the Burbang Hydropower Project, Kokhajor reservoir-based project, Humla Karnali cascade, Kaligandaki-II, Lower Badigad Project and Mugu Karnali Hydropower Project have reached the final stage.

The government has set an ambitious target of generating 28,500 megawatts of electricity in the next 12 years. Both the government and the private sector have expressed their commitment to focus on the production of electricity by declaring the next decade as the 'Energy Decade'. The declaration comes in the wake of the government securing market for Nepal’s energy in India and Bangladesh.

It may be noted that India recently signed an agreement to buy 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal in 10 years.

The government plans to produce 28,500 megawatts of electricity by 2035 and export 15,000 megawatts in the international market.

It is estimated that an investment of Rs 6217 billion (USD 46.5 billion) will be required to fulfill the ambitious goal of the government. The Energy Development Roadmap and Action Plan, 2080 has estimated that the aforementioned amount of investment will be required to reach the installed capacity of electricity of 28,500 megawatts by 2035. -- (With inputs from RSS )