NEA signs PPA with 350 projects

Kathmandu, Nov. 1: Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Kulman Ghishing on Wednesday said that Nepal had become a major market for hydropower equipment as about two hundred projects, with almost 2,200 MW capacity in total, were under construction.

Speaking at the Customer Day 2017 programme, organised by Andritz Hydro, a provider of electromechanical equipment and services for hydropower plants from Austria, he said that the NEA had signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) with about 350 projects that planned to produce 3,500 MW of electricity.

“The country has been able to tap only about 1 per cent of its total hydropower potential. Therefore, there will be lots of development opportunities in this sector. It will also create opportunities for hydro-equipment companies like Andritz,” he said.

He said that the state-owned electricity monopoly was also seeking reliable after-sales service from the suppliers or service providers.

According to him, timely delivery of service and cost effectiveness are two important considerations while procuring the after-sales service.

Minister for Urban Development Dil Nath Giri said that the government had given priority to hydropower development.

“We are focusing on hydropower as it has the potential to be the backbone of national development. Renewable energy sector can contribute immensely to the social and economic development of the country,” said MD and Chief Executive Officer of Andritz Hydro India Joseph M. Ullmer.

Andritz is supplying equipment and services to the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectricity Project.

“Our scope of supply includes design, manufacturing, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of complete electromechanical equipment, including a 220 KV GIS and the mechanical balance of plant equipment,” he said.

It is also supplying machines and services to the 23.5 MW Upper Solu Hydropower Project and has supported the Kulekhani and Mid-Marsyangdi and other projects.

Austrian Ambassador to Nepal Brigitte Oeppinger Walchshofer said that Austrian investors were eager to invest in Nepal and promised to support Nepal in attracting the investment.

Ullmer said that the company provided quality equipment and services to its clients all around the globe.

The company has installed more than 31,000 turbines worldwide.