Energy Minister Shrestha directs agencies to expedite projects

Kathmandu, Mar. 8

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has directed the  agencies under his ministry to prepare a checklist of immediate tasks and to expedite plans and programmes that can be completed within the remaining period of the current fiscal year 2025/26.

He issued the instruction during discussions with the leadership of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) and the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC).

According to his secretariat, Minister Shrestha said that while he does not favour budget reallocation, he is willing to facilitate in cases where funds allocated under certain headings remain unspent while other programmes face shortages and cannot be completed.

Likewise, he stressed that future planning must ensure past state investments are not wasted and called for policy stability. "Policies should be designed to facilitate development and must not become obstacles to it," he said.

Minister Shreatha directed officials to formulate programmes in the spirit of federalism, emphasising the need to achieve energy self-reliance and to develop an action plan in consultation and coordination with local governments.

He also underlined the importance of classifying electricity consumption at industrial and household levels and advancing strategic plans to increase domestic electricity use. He instructed that such plans be prepared in coordination among relevant agencies.

The minister further directed officials to develop a model for energy development in collaboration with universities and to begin preparations for it. He added that greater attention should be given to energy start-up projects in the coming days.

Similarly, Minister Shrestha also said that pilot projects could be developed in coordination with local levels to generate energy from waste and establish successful models.

According to the Ministry, Water Resources Secretary Sarita Dawadi, Energy Secretary Chiranjibi Chataut, Commission Secretary Dinanath Mishra, NEA Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya, and AEPC Executive Director Nawa Raj Dhakal had briefed the minister on existing challenges and future strategies in the energy and water resources sectors.