Narendra Modi's Nepal visit to boost hydropower, infrastructure cooperation: Observers

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Nepal next month is expected to boost cooperation in hydropower and infrastructure sectors between India and the Himalayan nation, said observers here even as visiting Nepalese Commerce Minister Sunil Bahadur Thapa Wednesday expressed his country's keenness to learn from Modi's development model.

Power Trade Agreement and Nepal's preparation for Narendra Modi's visit.

 The visit by Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj ended without a concrete conclusion in regards to Nepal’s hydro. However, the visit helped to create a foundation for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Nepal that is being scheduled on 3rd of August, 2014.

India willing to purchase power at ‘market rate’

India has said that it is willing to purchase excess electricity from Nepal at the market rate, as trade in power between the two countries would create a win-win situation for both.

The next upcoming IPO: Api Power Company Limited.

Api Power Company Limited will be the next private hydropower company to float its public share. It is constructing an 8.5 MW project in Darchula district. Here is my sincere opinion regarding the Company, its projects, its future plans and projected share price when listed in Nepal Stock Exchange.

Hydel proposal win-win for Nepal, India: Ranjit Rae

Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae today said India’s draft proposal on “Cooperation in Power Sector” was not meant to control Nepal’s water resources, but to create a “win-win situation” for both to utilise Nepal’s huge hydel potential for mutual benefit.

'Energy cooperation proposal not against Nepal's interest'

It is no secret that Nepal has a huge hydropower potential. But due to geographic location, Nepal has no other options than to join hands with our ever energy hungry neighbour, India. There has been lot of remarks regarding the “energy cooperation” from both countries. And the construction of various transmission lines to evacuate power to India shows that the two countries are serious about power trading.

Ridi Hydropower Development Company Limited and its share price speculation.

The newly listed hydropower company in Nepal Stock Exchange is Ridi Hydropower Development Company Limited. Ridi Hydropower Development Company Limited owns a 2.4 MW project in Palpa district. The project is generating electricity at the moment.

Discovery of Uranium could change Nepal’s energy scenario: experts

A team from the Department of Mines and Geology (DoMG) has found a large deposit of uranium in Upper Mustang in Nepal, which borders China, when carrying out a ground radiometric survey for the material in the region.

Hydropower gets a huge boost with unveiling of this year budget.

This year budget was unveiled yesterday and hydropower tops the list. Presenting the budget in parliament, Finance minister unveiled plan to completely end load-shedding after three years. According to the budget , the government-owned Upper Tamakoshi, Kulekhani III, Chameliya and Upper Trishuli will be adding 560 MW of electricity within three years while 42 projects being initiated by the private sector will bring in another 628 MW. Here are the outline of this year budget for energy sector.

Issuance of bonds for private hydropower companies.

The ongoing general convention of CPN-UML has delayed budget speech for the new fiscal year. The government was preparing to table budget in the parliament on Friday. But Chandra Mani Adhikari, member of National Planning Commission (NPC), said it won´t be possible to table budget on Friday. Sources at the Ministry of Finance also said it won´t be possible to table budget in the parliament on Friday. They also said the ministry was yet to finalize the new date. The convention, which was scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, is likely to continue for two more days.

Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line

The construction of Nepali portion of much-touted Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line began on Tuesday, with the Power Transmission Company Nepal Limited (PTCNL) laying foundation of the transmission towers at Manohar VDC of Mahottari district.

ADB okays $180m loan to ease power shortages

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $ 180 million loan to help Nepal overcome cripplingpower shortages and export surplus power to neighbouring India.

PTA high on agenda during upcoming talks with Modi, Swaraj: Officials

Power Trade Agreement (PTA) will be high on agenda during the upcoming talks with India´s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to government officials.

Foreign Investment in the energy sector this year sees significant growth

There has been a growing interest from foreign investors in Nepal's hydro. The proposed foreign investment in energy sector in the current financial year (in 11 months) is NRs 11,18,66,00,000/-

Major Indian economic aid package for nepal expected to be announced during narendra modis visit.

A major Indian economic aid package is expected to be announced during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Nepal sometime early August.

ADB seeks details on its rupee bond plan

Asian Development Bank ( ADB ) has once again expressed interest in issuing Nepali rupee bonds.In a letter to the Finance Ministry, the multilateral lender has asked about prerequisites it has to follow to issue the bonds, according to Nawaraj Bhandari, joint secretary at the ministry. “ ADB has, however, not mentioned anything about the size of the bonds to be issued,” he said.

Ministry to form panel to study PPA in dollar terms

The government is planning to set up a committee to study whether to sign power purchase agreement (PPA) in foreign currency terms.

Some useful acts and policies regarding foreign investment.

FOREIGN INVESTMENT ACTS

To promote private Nepalese and foreign investment in the hydropower sector Government of Nepal (GoN) has promulgated Hydropower Policy - 1992, Water Resources Act - 1992/Regulation - 1993, Electricity Act -1993/Regulation -1993. Hydropower Policy – 1992, encourages the concept of Build, Operate, Own and Transfer (BOOT) policy. The policy provides incentive provisions to attract national and foreign investment in hydropower development