The state-owned National Transmission Grid Company Limited (NTGCL) signed grid connection agreements with five hydropower developers on Tuesday, marking a significant step in strengthening Nepal’s electricity transmission network.
According to the national news agency RSS, the signing ceremony took place in Kathmandu in the presence of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka.
Chief Executive Officer of NTGCL, Engineer Sagar Shrestha, signed the agreements on behalf of the company, while representatives from SC Power Company Pvt. Ltd., Surma Sarobar Hydropower Pvt. Ltd., Mata Malika Energy Multiple Pvt. Ltd., Surya Holding Pvt. Ltd., and Himajal Hydropower Pvt. Ltd. signed on behalf of their respective companies.
Minister Khadka reportedly said the agreements would support the government’s efforts to meet national energy goals. “Nepal’s path to prosperity has been obstructed by poor promotion and investment management in the energy sector. Agreements like these will help us bring about much-needed reforms,” RSS quoted Minister Khadka as saying.
Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya and Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairperson Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital also expressed that such agreements are essential to meet the government’s target of energy development by 2035, added RSS.
The agreements include grid connections for several hydropower projects currently under development. These are the 440 MW Tila-1 Hydropower Project in Kalikot, promoted by SC Power Company; the 54 MW Mahakali Seti Semi-Reservoir Hydropower Project in Bajhang, by Surma Sarobar Hydropower; the 72 MW Malumela Seti River Peaking Hydropower Project in Bajhang, by Mata Malika Energy Multiple; the 31.92 MW Upper Mewa Khola 'A' Hydropower Project in Taplejung, by Surya Holding; and the 9.143 MW Super Daraudi Hydropower Project in Gorkha, by Himajal Hydropower.
Once completed, these projects will be integrated into the national transmission system, contributing to Nepal’s domestic energy supply and export capacity.
Prior to this, the government had taken a historic step by initiating its first transmission line project under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model when it signed an agreement for the development of the 220 kV Tamor–Dhungesanghu Transmission Line Project on December 17, 2024.
Read: Agreement Signed for Nepal’s First Transmission Line Project Under PPP Model
