Nepal Prioritizes Energy Sector as Key Economic Driver: Finance Minister

Minister for Finance Dr. Swarnim Wagle has stated that the government has placed the energy sector at the center of its economic development strategy, recognizing its expanding contribution to national growth.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, Minister Wagle said the energy sector will be given special priority to further strengthen its role in the national economy.

He shared the government’s policy direction during separate meetings held on Sunday with delegations from the Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI).

During the discussions, the delegations presented a series of recommendations for the fiscal year 2083/84 BS budget and policy framework.

IPPAN President Ganesh Karki, while presenting a 53-point proposal, urged the government to adopt investment-friendly policies to speed up the development of the energy sector. He also expressed the private sector’s commitment to supporting the government’s ambitious target of generating 30,000 megawatts of electricity within the next decade.

Karki further called on the government to reconsider the reopening of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) for hydropower projects.

He also stressed the need to involve the private sector in electricity trading and transmission line development, aiming to boost hydropower expansion and increase energy exports.