Cooperation between RPGCL and IPPAN for Transmission Infrastructure Development and Research

Kathmandu: The Rastriya Prasaran Grid Company Limited (RPGCL) and the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN), an umbrella organization of the private sector, will cooperate in the development, study, and research of the transmission sector.

During a discussion held at the RPGCL office on Monday (July 6), both parties committed to working together to strengthen the country's transmission system. RPGCL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sagar Shrestha stated that partnering with the private sector for transmission infrastructure development and research is a necessity of the times.

He mentioned that since the company does not have a regular income, policy work -- including coordinating with the government to set wheeling charges -- is underway. He added that to solve the capital shortage, the investments made so far can be used as a resource and collateral to manage additional funds.

During the meeting, Gagan Manandhar, a transmission expert at RPGCL, emphasized that the scope of cooperation and research between IPPAN and RPGCL should be expanded. He presented a technical proposal suggesting that it is best to build integrated single transmission lines when developing infrastructure across various river corridors. Meanwhile, the company's spokesperson, Nagendra Prasad Chaudhary, highlighted RPGCL's progress so far, future plans, and potential models for cooperation.

IPPAN President Mohan Kumar Dangi remarked that working in cooperation with RPGCL is a significant achievement for the private sector. Recalling that the private sector has been working with the government to resolve transmission issues in the past, he emphasized the need to intensify these efforts moving forward.

Dangi stated that alongside collaborating with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), it is time to start working with RPGCL from a new perspective. He suggested that the NEA's transmission infrastructure should gradually be transferred to RPGCL, and the Load Dispatch Center (LDC) should also be brought under its jurisdiction to balance transmission and generation.

Similarly, Uttam Bhlon Lama, Senior Vice President of IPPAN, shared that IPPAN is lobbying and working closely with the government to resolve private sector issues. Same as IPPAN Vice President Him Prasad Pathak suggested that when building transmission lines and substations in the future, meters should be installed directly at the powerhouse switchyard, and the government should construct the transmission lines up to that point.

IPPAN Executive Members Jagat Bahadur Pokharel and Somnath Kandel also expressed confidence that this cooperation would yield significant achievements in the energy sector. The discussion was attended by IPPAN Secretary Kuber Mani Nepal, member Pratima Gyawali, and other representatives from both organizations. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the construction of transmission infrastructure in Nepal and facilitate private sector energy producers.