Synonym of Governance in Private Hydro Entrepreneurship

Engineer Kumar Pandey has been dedicated to hydropower development for the past three decades. Regarded as an expert in corporate governance and managerial aspects of hydropower development, he serves as an advisor to the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN). Additionally, he also holds the position of Director at Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Here is a brief overview of his expertise:

Academic Details | B.E, Electrical Engineering, US, 1991; MBA (Fulbright Scholar), US, 2006

Associated Companies | Butwal Power Company (BPC) 1991-1997 | Lamjung Electricity Development Company (LEDCO), 1997-2002 | Hydro Solutions (HSL), 2007-20 | National Hydro Power Co. Ltd. (NHPC)

Business Status | Executive Chairman, National Hydro Power Company limited. 2016- present

Experience | Over 30 years of experience in project selection, design, optimization, preject developmet, project operation, repair and maintenance of hydropower projects.

Views on Energy Sector:

I am very optimistic about the future of energy sector and the role the private investors of Nepal can play in its growth. I am a firm believer that Nepal can achieve prosperity by the full development of its water resources for the generation of clean energy for Nepal, India as well as the region. These developments need to be sound and safe technically, environmentally, and financially.

I believe the private sector in Nepal has built its in- house capacity to manage development of medium and small hydropower projects. Although we still require some clarity in policy regarding he development of our water resources for electricity, we have made tremendous progress in generating energy for our consumption and also have been able to export some of it.

I know that given the right policies and governmental support, in the next few years, we will be able to generate sufficient energy to meet our entire national need, creating employment in tourism, agriculture, commerce, and industrial sectors. In addition to that surplus energy will be one of our major exports, contributing to reduction of fossil fuel imports for cooking and transport, and earning the much needed foreign currency for our nation.

National Hydro Power Company Limited (NHPC) is a wholly public owned company, whose stock is traded in the Nepal Stock Exchange with corresponding stock symbol "NHPC". The Company has utilized domestic funds, foreign investment as well as public funds to develop hydropower projects and generate clean energy.

The management of NHPC is guided by the Board of Directors, who themselves are esteemed professionals of varying business backgrounds. Board Directors are officials elected to serve a four-year term. The Board sees to it that the company is being run smoothly and professionally. We have highly competent employees who are capable of operating, repairing and maintaining hydro projects, the associated transmission facilities and the substations. Over the years the Company has increased its in-house capacity in project selection, project engineering and optimization, construction planning, and project operation and maintenance. Our expertise has also been expanded in repairing and maintaining 'sick' projects into viable profitable businesses.

NHPC itself has made a huge financial turnaround in the last few years. We also have personnel with in-depth knowledge of the present policies and practices in hydropower development in Nepal. Initially NHPC was set up to develop its first hydro project, the 7,500 kW Indrawati III HPP, in Sindhupalchowk District. NHPC has been commercially operating the Indrawati III Hydro Power Project since 1999. NHPC also owns the license for the 4,500 kW Lower Indrawati Hydropower Project, which is a downstream cascade of the Indrawati III Hydropower Project. The Lower Indrawati Project is presently in study phase and is schedule to come on line by April of 2024. NHPC is also a major promoter of the 14.15 MW Lower Erkhuwa Hydropower Project in Bhojpur District, Province 1. The project is presently under construction and is expected to start generation within 2023.

In the long run NHPC intends to build, own and operate many small and medium sized hydropower projects. We are always in the lookout for investment opportunities in hydropower related business. Having overcome a difficult past, NHPC is finally a well-respected member of the hydropower community in Nepal. We have made serious and tangible improvements in the way we conduct our business. We have increased our credibility amongst our creditors and investors. Our accounts and financial transactions are transparent and our business ethics is uncompromised, and second to none.

This Profile is taken from Urja Khabar bi-annual Journal Publish on 16th dec, 2022