61 billion investment is required in 12 years to generate 28 thousand megawatts of electricity

The speakers of the session discussed how to raise the remaining investment as only 20 billion rupees can be invested in the energy sector from within the country in 12 years. Ramakrishna, the former chief executive officer of Nepal Infrastructure Bank (NIFRA), presented the working paper at the session. Khatiwada said that 4 trillion rupees have been invested in the energy sector so far in the country and there is a need to invest more 61 trillion rupees in the energy sector in the next 12 years to achieve the goal of energy development set by the government.

It seems that maximum 19 trillion 38 billion rupees can be invested from within the country to provide this investment. But in order to bring in the rest of the investment, it will have to be provided by using foreign investment and financial instruments," he said. The government has announced the target of producing 28,500 megawatts of electricity within the next 12 years ie 2035.

Khatiwada informed that when Indian investors try to develop projects in Nepal, international financial bodies also feel comfortable and because of that, recently Indian investors are focusing on Nepal. "Similarly, although it is possible to raise investment through the Green Bond, sufficient efforts are needed in that direction," he said. He suggested that the goal can be achieved if the government issues project-specific bonds, goes to green bonds, involves the private sector in construction of transmission lines and electricity trading, and gathers alternative investments. Arjun Gautam, the Chief Executive Officer of Hydro Electricity Investment and Development Company, while presenting the

working paper, informed that about 50 billion rupees should be invested by the year 2030. Although the banking system currently has a capital of 61 billion, the possibility of large investment in the energy sector is low. ; "Because banks accept short-term savings, long-term investment in hydropower is not an option," he said. He mentioned that HIDCL, Nifra and other dedicated organizations and remittances are also sources of investment.

He mentioned that there is a possibility that a maximum of 20 billion rupees can be raised for investment from within the country within the specified period. Apart from that, the areas where investment can be brought are non-residential There is Nepali and foreign investment. Gautam said that the government should make the goal of electricity production a common goal as a prerequisite for increasing investment in hydropower, regulation and governance reforms, clarity in the energy mix, comfortable environment, and clear investment plans. Gautam said.

Shushil Pokharel, vice president of International Hydro Association, said that bringing foreign investment He said that policy, procedural and environmental issues are important. "In order to attract foreign investors, the service facilities provided for investment should be attractive," he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Investment Board Nepal, Shushil Bhatt, said that the presence of hydropower projects in the upcoming investment conference is numerically large and has been given high priority. "We will improve the procedural problems for the development of the energy sector through policies and laws and for the time being through regulations," he said.

Reservoir and semi-reservoir projects will be discussed in the conference. Executive Director Bhatt informed that the permanency of the investment board is mandatory to facilitate the investors and he is going to pave the way for the appointment of permanent staff.

Bhishma Pandit, a representative of the International Finance Fund (IFC), said that now the government and the private sector are focusing on power generation. However, it cannot bring foreign investment. "Investment can come only if there is infrastructure like transmission line, distribution system, market and other comfortable environment," he said. Pandit's statement that many policy reforms and amendments are necessary for this is .

In addition to this, opening up the private sector in transmission lines and electricity business will also facilitate investment. He emphasized that clarity is needed on which project will be built by the government, which private sector and which will be built with foreign investment.

Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Chiranjeevi Chatout said that 28,500 megawatts of electricity production by 2035 is based on the needs and reality. There are plans equal to about 30,000 megawatts,' he said. In addition, he said that the target will be achieved by investing in solar energy, electricity authority's profit from the sale of electricity, private sector, remittance and other sectors.

President of Nepal Bankers Association Sunil KC said that there is a lack of investment (gap) in the energy sector. "That resource will not be fulfilled only through the banking system," he said. There is no alternative to find an alternative way to bring in the necessary investment,' he said. Interest rates and other topics will determine many topics in investment by using various financial tools from outside. In addition to this, Chairman KC says that after the 'country rating' is done, there will be certainty for investment.