Banking News – Prime Minister Balendra Shah has described the energy sector as a cornerstone of Nepal’s economic transformation, job creation, industrialization, and green development, emphasizing its growing role in strengthening the country’s export potential.

Speaking during a meeting with officials from the Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) at Singha Durbar on Friday, Prime Minister Shah said the government takes seriously the issues, opportunities, and challenges facing Nepal’s energy sector that were raised by the association.

He assured IPPAN representatives that the government would work closely with the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), and other relevant agencies to facilitate solutions and accelerate the development of the energy sector.

According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the discussion focused on hydropower development, private sector investment in energy, improving the business environment, and the role of the energy sector in driving Nepal’s economic growth.

During the meeting, IPPAN representatives highlighted several key concerns, including the need to facilitate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), revive stalled hydropower projects, address transmission line and grid access constraints, simplify procedures related to forest clearances and land acquisition, ease the renewal of project licenses, and expand private sector participation in electricity trading.

The meeting also covered measures to strengthen investment security and create a more investment-friendly environment for Nepal’s energy sector.

The discussion was attended by Chief Advisor Kumar Byanjankar, Chief Personal Secretary Subash Sharma, and Personal Secretary Nabin Bhandari from the Prime Minister’s Office. Representing IPPAN were Senior Vice President Uttam Bhlon, Vice Presidents Him Prasad Pathak, Sushan Karmacharya, and Uttar Kumar Shrestha, Chief Advisor Ganesh Karki, General Secretary T.N. Acharya, and other officials.