CNI delegation, Energy Minister discuss plan to boost electricity consumption

KATHMANDU: Industry leaders met Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation on Monday to discuss boosting domestic electricity consumption and developing the energy sector.

A delegation from Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), led by President Birendra Raj Pandey, met Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha to offer congratulations and outline industry proposals. Pandey urged the government to adopt policies that would raise electricity use by industry.

He proposed allowing firms to generate required power and transmit it by paying wheeling charges, and permitting the private sector to participate in domestic and international electricity trade. Pandey also called for the immediate signing of power purchase agreements (PPAs) for projects that have completed surveys and received government approval but are still awaiting formal agreements.

CNI President Pandey recommended policies to promote the substitution of fossil-fuel equipment with electricity-based alternatives through subsidies and stressed attention to alternative energy sources.

Minister Shrestha said the government is committed to working with the private sector for the overall development of energy sector. He told the delegation that the government is formulating strategies to increase domestic consumption while continuing electricity exports, and that reservoir-based and renewable energy have been given high priority.

Minister Shrestha asked the private sector to provide clear, actionable suggestions on how the energy sector can increase its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), signalling openness to industry input as policy work proceeds.

The meeting was attended by CNI vice‑president Gokul Bhandari, Permanent Invitee to the Office Bearers Vidushi Rana, Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs Forum (CNIYEF) President Manish Shrestha, Director General Dr Ghanshyam Ojha, and other officials and industry representatives.