Energy stakeholders seek special area status
Summary
Energy stakeholders have urged the government to declare the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor a special area after floods and avalanches severely damaged hydropower projects and local infrastructure. They say climate-driven disasters are putting Nepal’s power sector and investment at serious risk.
Key Points
- Stakeholders at an IPPAN forum warned that climate change is increasing disaster risks in Himalayan and hilly regions and hitting the energy sector hard.
- Former energy minister Kul Man Ghising urged the government to declare the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor a special area and provide tax, financial and legal support for recovery.
- IPPAN said 12 hydropower and solar projects were affected, with 669 MW of capacity hit and losses estimated in the tens of billions of rupees.
- Insurers said claims would be settled through a simplified process, while experts called for stronger design standards and early-warning systems for future projects.
