Power Trading Company gets permission for international power trade

KATHMANDU: The government has granted permission to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)’s subsidiary company for international power trading for the first time.

A cabinet meeting on Thursday took the decision to grant permission to the power trade company. By establishing the company three years back, the NEA has been demanding permission for the same.

“The government has permitted NEA’s subsidiary company for power trading. All process would take place to that end”, shared Minister for Energy, Water Resource and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal. The company has investment shares of HIDCL and Power Production Company.

At least three dozen government and private sector companies are active for power trading with India.

The private sector has also been lobbying with the government for power trading. It might be easier for the private sector companies to get approval for trading once the government-owned company gets permission.

At a press conference held at the Ministry on Friday, Minister Bhusal said, “A process has begun. The government is in a mood to further expand this sector”.

As of now total installed capacity has reached 2,000 Megawatt to the system of Nepal. Additional 1,300 MW electricity would be added to the system till the end of current fiscal year if the works are completed as stipulated.