KATHMANDU: The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has approved a total investment of Rs 36.37 billion for four hydropower projects.
A meeting of the IBN chaired by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday approved investments for Rolwaling Khola (22 MW), Chujung Khola (63 MW), Dana Khola (49.95 MW), and Sani Bheri (44.52 MW) hydropower projects.
According to a statement released by the Office of the Investment Board Nepal (OIBN), the meeting also reviewed the progress of the reservoir-type Tamor Hydropower Project. The meeting decided to form a high-level committee to provide recommendations for its implementation. Likewise, the board has decided to form a negotiation team, led by the OIBN CEO Sushil Bhatta, to hold discussions with the Chinese developer of the Nepal-China Friendship Industrial Park in Damak, Jhapa, to prepare a draft of the Project Development Agreement (PDA).
The meeting also approved a survey license for Dolma Himalayan Energy for two solar power projects: a 245 MW daytime plant and a 20 MW battery plant in Rajpur Rural Municipality in Dang. Additionally, IBN received a detailed feasibility study report for the development of a 250 MW solar power plant in Banganga of Kapilvastu, prepared by Risen Energy Co Ltd.
Moreover, the IBN decided to submit a proposal to the cabinet for the implementation of a Supreme Court order regarding the Upper Karnali Hydropower Project. The meeting also approved the draft of a memorandum of understanding to be signed with Malaysian company reNIKOLA Sdn. Bhd to establish a Green Calcium Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer Factory in Nepal.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking government officials, including Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Ramesh Rija, Minister for Environment and Forest Birendra Prasad Mahato, National Planning Commission Vice Chairman Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha, Chief Secretary Baikuntha Aryal, Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Mahaprasad Adhikari, and representatives from the private sector, including Bhawani Rana, Hari Bhakta Sharma, and Rajesh Kaji Shrestha.
