Energy Minister Shrestha initiates discussions on electricity policy

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha initiated internal discussions on a new electricity policy on Thursday.

He directed subordinate agencies to prepare a comprehensive draft that addresses long‑term challenges in the energy sector and urged officials to ensure the policy presents clear facts and statistics about the overall sector. He said the draft should be advanced with a long‑term vision after extensive consultations with stakeholders.

Shrestha emphasised the need to include measures for the development of the entire energy sector, structural and institutional reforms, efficient energy utilisation and environmental protection.

He also highlighted several priority issues the electricity policy must address, including the supply of quality energy, rising domestic consumption, diversification of the energy mix, and the impacts of climate change, such as loss and damage and carbon trading. He said the policy should be forward‑looking because it will guide the formulation of future acts and laws and must therefore prepare the country for potential challenges ahead.

The minister instructed agencies to compile and present reliable sectoral data to inform policy decisions and to engage broadly with relevant stakeholders before finalising the draft. The internal discussion marks an early step in the government’s effort to update policy frameworks governing Nepal’s energy sector.

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