Kathmandu, Nepal – The IPPAN Developers Meet 2025, hosted by the Independent Power Producers' Association of Nepal (IPPAN) with support from the MAW Group, concluded on Monday with a strong commitment to fostering collaboration between the government and the private sector for energy development.
The meet brought together prominent figures, including Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Dipak Khadka, Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya, Director General of the Department of Electricity Development Navin Singh, and Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Hitendra Dev Shakya, alongside representatives from the private hydropower sector.
The key focus of the meet was on addressing bottlenecks in Nepal's energy sector and advancing the government’s ambitious roadmap to generate 28,500 MW of electricity by 2035.
Demands from the Private Sector
Private sector hydropower developers voiced critical concerns and presented demands, including:
A dedicated act and the formation of a powerful commission to oversee energy development initiatives.
Inclusion of private sector players in electricity trading and transmission line development.
Resolution of transmission line bottlenecks by setting wheeling charges.
Opening up unconditional electricity purchase agreements (PPAs) to stimulate investment.
Relief measures for projects hindered by external factors or transmission constraints.
Enhanced digitalization of services across energy sector bodies to improve transparency and efficiency.
Government’s Commitment
Minister Dipak Khadka underscored the critical role of public-private partnerships in achieving Nepal's energy ambitions. “The government is fully committed to resolving the issues raised by private developers and fostering an environment conducive to meeting the target of 25,000 MW of additional power generation within the next decade,” he assured.
Highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts, the minister stated, “We are finalizing the new Electricity Bill, which will address several private sector concerns. This bill is expected to be passed in the next month, further paving the way for roadmap implementation.”
Ongoing Developments
Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya announced progress on several fronts:
A task force has been established to implement the energy roadmap.
Drafts for determining wheeling charges are near completion.
Measures to include private developers in transmission line construction are underway.
NEA’s Perspective
NEA Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya emphasized the importance of aligning resources with the roadmap. He also called on the private sector to play a larger role in building transmission infrastructure and selling surplus monsoon electricity to ensure efficient utilization.
IPPAN’s Call for Action
IPPAN Chairperson Ganesh Karki highlighted systemic challenges such as hydrology penalties, delays in PPAs, and the slow pace of roadmap implementation. He urged the government to enact policy-level reforms to attract private sector investment in energy trade and improve inter-ministerial coordination.
The Path Forward
The meet concluded with a shared vision: the government and private sector must work in unison to realize Nepal’s energy potential. As the backbone of economic growth, energy development is poised to transform Nepal into a regional energy powerhouse, provided the roadmap’s challenges are addressed collaboratively.
