The message was convened to the developers at a review meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Energy on Tuesday. The five 100 MW plus projects in possession of survey license and present during the meeting were developers of Upper Tamor (100 MW), Namlan (303 MW), Chainpur Seti (45.4 MW), Arun III (402 MW) and Lower Arun (400 MW). [break]
“We have sought their (developers) commitments to follow the time-frame for completion of their projects,” Energy Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat told myrepublica.com. “We cannot renew the licenses of those developers who are not working as per the target. Unnecessary delay could lead to cancellation of license.”
Stressing on the need for foreign investors to stick to the timeframe, Mahat said, “Their (developers) priority should match with ours as well.” He said the government is ready to extend all possible help to foreign investors, but that they should stick to their part of the deal.
During the meeting, representatives of the five companies briefed the energy minister on the progress of their respective projects, targets still to be achieved, problems faced during survey work, and expectations from the government.
The developers, especially Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam, the Indian investor which is developing the 402 MW Arun III, complained about security problems faced by foreign investors in Nepal. Minister Mahat assured the investors of all out support from the government in this regard.
While Upper Tamor Hydropower is being developed by Sanima Hydropower Pvt Ltd, Namlan Hydro Electric Project, located in Karnali basin in western part of Nepal, is being developed by Lanco Group, one of India´s fast growing infrastructure enterprises.
Similarly, Lower Arun is a joint venture of Braspower International Brazil and GCE Nepal. India´s Jindal Power is developing Chainpur hydro project.
The survey license is given maximum for a period of five years. But these five companies have been given the same for two years with possible extension.
20-Year Hydropower Development Plan out
Meanwhile, a government formed working group has proposed a new target of 37,628 MW of power generation by the next 20 years in the country.
The group comprising officials of the Ministry of Energy, experts and private power producers submitted a report on the 20-Year Hydropower Development Plan to Minister Mahat on Tuesday.
The report has proposed a total generation of 2,057 MW in five years time with 1,887 MW for internal consumption and 170 MW for export. Similarly, it has pointed at possibility of generating 12,423 MW in 10-year timeframe (with 8,093 MW for internal consumption and 4330 MW for export) and a total of 18,034 MW power generation in the next 20 years.
Speaking at the program, coordinator of the working group Kishore Thapa, who is also the secretary of the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, pointed at the lack of infrastructure facilities, planned policies on feasibility study and development of hydro-electric projects, human resource and construction materials.
He laid equal emphasis on the construction of transmission lines as vital for success of hydro policy.
The report claimed that there is still lack of environment conducive for foreign investment in Nepal, difficulty in developing projects in protected areas and in land acquisition process for projects.
The report also stressed on the need to opt for alternative energy and evaluated the impact of climate change on hydropower sector.
akanshya@myrepublica.com
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