The Nepal Weekly 
April 5, 2022
On Saturday, April 2, the 3rd edition of Himalayan Hydro Expo kicked off at Bhrikutimandap pavillion Kathmandu amidst a special programme. The grand event was organized by Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) in association with Expo & Event Management Services Pvt. Ltd.
The three day Himalayan Hydro Expo 2022 organized by the private sector of Nepal provided platform for hydropower producers / investors, engineers, entrepreneurs, researchers and water resource experts mainly from Nepal and India. The Expo was aimed at exploring ways to constructing hydro projects in a better way and affordable manner given the availability of huge volume of water resources, free gift from nature and finding international market for export purposes.
Chief guest was at the event was President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, who opened the hydropower expo by cutting the ribbon. Her special appearance was a support for the hydropower generators, investors and traders.
“Although what Nepal has achieved in generating hydro electricity in the past one hundred years is not satisfactory, the role played by Nepal’s private sector in developing hydropower sector is worth appreciating,” remarked president Bhandari. Nepal for the first time generated a 500 KW hydro electricity from Pharping Hydropower plant in 1911.
“There is a need for multi-purpose use of Nepal’s abundant water resources including generating electricity both for domestic consumption as well as export purposes if we are to move on the path of economic prosperity,” noted President Bhandari.
Minister for Forest and Environment, Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav said, “the government is always positive towards the private sector, which is playing a lead role in the development of power sector” adding, the works of the private sector in power sector needs to be further expanded.
Vice president of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries Dinesh Shrestha asked the government “to create a conducive environment for private sector to invest in hydropower such as security to their investment” adding the government must fulfill its commitments towards the development of private sector in the country.
“Although the private sector has played an important role in generating power in the country, the government’s indecisiveness in signing Power Purchase Agreement in the past three years has discouraged the private sector working in the field,” remarked Krishna Prasad Acharya, the President of Independent Power Producers’ Association (IPPAN) the main organizer of the event.
The private sector has produced 1,500 MW of hydro electricity in the past 27 years and thousands of MW power production is in the pipeline, he pointed out. Nepal has the potential to produce 83,000 MW of hydropower of which 43,000 MW is commercially viable. Nepal has so far produced only 2,100 MW hydropower utilizing less than 5 per cent of its potential.
Around 100 companies from Nepal and India are showcasing their products and services related to hydropower during the three day hydropower extravaganza being organized with the theme “Creating markets for Nepal’s hydropower.” Some 60,000 people are expected to visit the expo till Monday, the final day of the event. The expo attracted more than 150 hydropower producers, investors, designers, engineers, government officials and experts mainly from Nepal and India.
