By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, May 30: The government has projected to add additional 1,300 MW power to the national grid in the next fiscal year.
About 1,300 MW power is expected in the national grid next year by completing the construction work of Upper Tamakoshi, Rasuwagadhi, Upper Sanjen, Madhya Bhotekoshi and other projects being developed by the private sectors.
Presenting the budget of fiscal year 2020/21 on Thursday, Finance Minister Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada said that the government would develop reservoir-based hydropower projects to increase power generation and export power in the coming years.
Construction of Dudhkoshi Reservoir Hydropower Project will begin in the mutual investment of four international financial institutions.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for the first time will mobilise certain portion of foreign investment in institutional guarantee for the construction of this project.
Likewise, the budget has proposed to carry out the process for the construction of a few projects, including Upper Arun, Kimanthanka Arun, Fukot Karnalim Tamakoshi-5, Chainpur Seti and Jagadulla, among others in the coming fiscal year under the campaign ‘Nepal’s water, people’s investment’.
Finance Minister Dr. Khatiwada said that the government would implement the modality of investment for the hydropower projects such as Budhigandaki, West Seti, Karnali Chisapani Nalgadh, Uttarganga, Aandhikhola and Naumure Multipurpose hydropower projects.
The budget has also given priority to the construction of transmission lines and substations for the smooth supply of power.
Rs. 36.02 billion allocated for transmissions and substations
The government has allocated Rs. 36.02 billion for the development of transmission lines and substations for the next fiscal year.
Construction work on the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 KV cross border transmission lines, Lapsifedi-Ratmate-Hetaunda and Lapsifedi-Ratmate-Damauli-Butwal transmission lines will be moved from the coming fiscal year.
“Construction of north-south transmission lines will complete within the coming fiscal year,” Minister Dr. Khatiwada said.
The Ujyalo Nepal campaign will be concluded in two years by ensuring access of renewable power to all.
The budget has set a target to supply power to all the people of State-2, Bagmati State, Gandaki State and State-5 within next fiscal year and State-1, Karnali State and Sudurpaschim State in two years.
Rs. 4 billion for rural electrification
For the rural electrification, the government has allocated budget of Rs. 4 billion. The budget has managed to give free connection facility while connecting electricity for poor and deprived people.
Likewise, around 200 solar mini grids will be developed in 97 local levels of mountain and hilly areas which still lack access to power.
Similarly, the government has allocated Rs. 4.13 billion for the alternative energy programmes.
Minister Dr. Khatiwada said that the government would develop a separate mechanism for power production, transmission and distribution by restructuring the NEA.
The government would encourage power consumption by providing additional subsidy for those who use electric stoves, electricity vehicles and industries.
The government has decided to provide power free of cost to those households which consume 10 units power a month. Likewise, the government would provide 25 per cent discount for those households which consume power up to 150 units a month and 15 per cent for those which consume power up to 250 units a month.
The budget has proposed to write off the demand fees of power to the manufacturing industries in the period of lockdown and provide 50 per cent discount in the power consumption during the low demand period.