Six-Month Achievements in Energy, Irrigation, and Disaster Early Warning: From Transmission Capacity Expansion to Irrigation Facilities
In the first six months since its formation, the government has reported significant progress in policy reforms, expansion of electricity transmission capacity, increased irrigation facilities, and strengthening of flood early warning systems in the energy, water resources, and irrigation sectors. Achievements range from an agreement with India to increase power exchange capacity to additional irrigation expansion in projects including Sikta and Babai.
Kathmandu. In the first six months since its formation, the government has reported significant work in policy reforms, expansion of electricity transmission, increased irrigation facilities, and strengthening of disaster early warning systems in the energy, water resources, and irrigation sectors.
According to the ministry, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill has reached Parliament, while the Water Resources Bill has been advanced. Preliminary drafts of the Electricity Development Policy, Electricity Bill, and Irrigation Bill have also been prepared.
The ministry stated that a work plan is being prepared to restructure the Nepal Electricity Authority and create separate companies for electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and trade. A review of electricity licenses and power purchase agreements has been completed and a report received. The government has also issued new directives and standards to improve electricity regulation and consumer services.
An agreement has been reached between Nepal and India to increase electricity exchange capacity. Through the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur and Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi 400 kV transmission lines, it has been agreed to increase Nepal's import capacity from India from 1,000 MW to 1,400 MW and export capacity from 1,100 MW to 1,650 MW. Plans for the construction and capacity expansion of various cross-border transmission lines, including the new Butwal–Gorakhpur line, have also been advanced.
On irrigation, 13 kilometers of canal have been constructed in the Sikta Project in six months, expanding irrigation facilities to an additional 1,300 hectares of land. According to the ministry's details, irrigation facilities have been added to an additional 600 hectares from the Babai Irrigation Project, 1,155 hectares from the Mahakali Project, 610 hectares from the Badkapath Project, and 150 hectares from the Rani Jamara Kulariya Project. The government has set a target to complete the Babai and Bheri–Babai projects within the next two fiscal years and other national pride irrigation projects within five years.
On electricity transmission and distribution, various projects have been constructed and brought into operation. The Bahrabise–Lapsiphedi 400 kV transmission line has been completed, and the Bahrabise and New Khimti substations have been partially operationalized. Under the Marsyangdi Corridor, the Markichok–Bharatpur transmission line and the Chobhar substation in Kathmandu have come into operation. The long-stalled tower construction work of the Hetauda–Dhalkebar transmission line has also reached its final stage.
On hydropower development, survey licenses for a total capacity of 1,623 MW have been issued to 23 projects, and production licenses for 30.59 MW have been issued to four projects. Grid impact studies for a total capacity of 951.342 MW of 39 hydropower projects have been completed. The ministry stated that work related to permits, studies, land acquisition, and construction is underway to advance projects including Upper Arun, Uttarganga, Tanahu, Budhi Gandaki, and Kimathanka Arun.
On alternative energy, electricity access has been expanded in rural areas through micro and small hydropower and solar systems. 315 solar irrigation pumps have been installed, and 119,500 clean cooking technologies—including household biogas, electric stoves, and improved cookstoves—have been installed and distributed. The details mention that solar power systems with a capacity of more than 18,575 kilowatts have been installed on rooftops of various institutions.
Flood and weather early warning systems have also been improved. During the flood in the Bhote Koshi–Trishuli area on Bhadra 10, about 700,000 messages were sent to alert residents of affected areas. According to the ministry's details, an additional 700,000 messages were sent afterward. The flood forecasting period for major rivers has been extended from three days to five days, and the forecasting period for flash floods in small rivers has been extended from 24 hours to 48 hours. A 24-hour service has been operated to provide weather-related information.