RAMESH PRASAD BHUSHAL
Within one and half month of his tenure, Energy Minister Gokarna Bista has brought about some revolutionary changes in the country’s power sector . Breaking the political appointment system, Minister Bista established a new mechanism of appointing the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director on competitive basis. Many believe political appointments are a major hindrance to development of NEA. Apart from this NEA’s financial status is pitiful with cumulative losses standing at Rs 20 billion. Minister Bista also turned another stoneby resolving financial matters for Upper Tamakoshi hydro project (456 MW) worth about Rs 32 billion. Bista now has numerous proposals at hand. Lately, he signed a memorandum of understanding with Employees Provident Fund (EPF) worth Rs 16 billion for construction of four hydro projects of nearly 200 MW under the Chilime Hydropower Company— an NEA subsidiary company. A new institution — Hydropower Development and Investment Public Limited Company with proposed capital share of more than Rs 30 billion— specifically for investment in hydropower is all set to take off. He Spoke to Ramesh Prasad Bhushal of The Himalayan Times.
How do you explain your work at the ministry?
We are at a do or die stage as far as the energy sector is concerned. We need specific plans and projects to tackle the energy crisis. From the date I assumed office, I have been working hard to make every second fruitful. In my analysis, this is one of the most important ministries for Nepal because through it we can bring about financial revolution. If the potential of hydro power generation materialises, there will be drastic change in people’s economic status.
We are at a do or die stage as far as the energy sector is concerned. We need specific plans and projects to tackle the energy crisis. From the date I assumed office, I have been working hard to make every second fruitful. In my analysis, this is one of the most important ministries for Nepal because through it we can bring about financial revolution. If the potential of hydro power generation materialises, there will be drastic change in people’s economic status.
What must be done to expedite hydropower development?
The first thing is political commitment. In the past we talked a lot but didn’t walk the talk. If the government is committed, nobody can hinder hydropower development. Secondly, we should have vision and specific goals which were previously there only on paper. We never evaluated our work. We took life as it came. This won’t work. Definitely we have problems in this sector but every problem has a solution and in last one-and-half month, I am trying to solve the issues one after another. If we work in earnest, our electricity woes can be eliminated in a few years.
The post of MD at NEA is very lucrative, in fact, a major attraction for energy ministers. Have you faced pressure from the party asking you not to implement the competitive system?
Actually, many recommended me not to follow this path, but there were many who admired my concept and welcomed it. I listen to everyone. But but more than that, I want to work seriously and correctly without vested interest. Actually if you kick out some vested interest there is no need to worry about criticism. I am committed to my work, so I decided on competitive basis as I saw it as the best way to save NEA from collapse.
You are more focused on domestic investment than international funding. Why?
This is one of the most important things I have learned as energy minister. We need foreign investment and we are very positive about it, but waiting for donors and foreign investment won’t solve the energy crisis. So, we need to work on domestic investment to the extent we can. In last few months this idea has caught on with domestic investors overwhelmingly. About Rs 32 billion investment on Upper Tamakoshi has been confirmed and work is under way. Negotiations are on for about Rs 33 billion for the construction of Sanjen, middle Bhotekoshi, Upper Sanjen and Rasuwagadhi hydroprojects and a memorandum of understanding has been signed with Employees Provident Fund( EPF) for Rs 16 billion. These are some examples. I am pretty sure that we can construct a few thousand megawatts of hydroprojects on our own investment. However, I am aware that foreign investment is essential for larger projects. We especially need to cooperate with India in such a way that there is greater mutual benefit.
How is political instability affecting the hydro sector?
Political instability has definitely affected this sector to some extent, but it is not a major hindrance as commitment is the need of the hour. Nobody is against hydro power development, but the issue is on how to distribute and share benefits and keep national independence intact. If we can manage some local issues and give priority to our national interest, there would not be any problem. We need to talk less and work more, that will solve problems. If you are talking about me, the political scenario has not affected my work.
What are your future plans?
At first, I will work without counting the days or bothering about the government being toppled or any other issue. You will see me at work until the last minute. The establishment of hydropower development and investment public company will help collect funds and boost investment. After that, the major concern will be the transmission line as we need to be very serious on it. If we develop the hydro projects on time too we don’t have the adequate transmission line,s so we will focus on this. Next, is the leakage of electricity. It has to be reduced. I am happy that the ministry’s initiatives in this regard has been very effective. It will continue. Thirdly, NEA has to be made free of politics. We have already initiated the selection of MD through competitive process and soon I will also leave the post of NEA Chairperson. This means that future energy ministers will also occupy that post. This will help to rid NEA of politics.
The first thing is political commitment. In the past we talked a lot but didn’t walk the talk. If the government is committed, nobody can hinder hydropower development. Secondly, we should have vision and specific goals which were previously there only on paper. We never evaluated our work. We took life as it came. This won’t work. Definitely we have problems in this sector but every problem has a solution and in last one-and-half month, I am trying to solve the issues one after another. If we work in earnest, our electricity woes can be eliminated in a few years.
The post of MD at NEA is very lucrative, in fact, a major attraction for energy ministers. Have you faced pressure from the party asking you not to implement the competitive system?
Actually, many recommended me not to follow this path, but there were many who admired my concept and welcomed it. I listen to everyone. But but more than that, I want to work seriously and correctly without vested interest. Actually if you kick out some vested interest there is no need to worry about criticism. I am committed to my work, so I decided on competitive basis as I saw it as the best way to save NEA from collapse.
You are more focused on domestic investment than international funding. Why?
This is one of the most important things I have learned as energy minister. We need foreign investment and we are very positive about it, but waiting for donors and foreign investment won’t solve the energy crisis. So, we need to work on domestic investment to the extent we can. In last few months this idea has caught on with domestic investors overwhelmingly. About Rs 32 billion investment on Upper Tamakoshi has been confirmed and work is under way. Negotiations are on for about Rs 33 billion for the construction of Sanjen, middle Bhotekoshi, Upper Sanjen and Rasuwagadhi hydroprojects and a memorandum of understanding has been signed with Employees Provident Fund( EPF) for Rs 16 billion. These are some examples. I am pretty sure that we can construct a few thousand megawatts of hydroprojects on our own investment. However, I am aware that foreign investment is essential for larger projects. We especially need to cooperate with India in such a way that there is greater mutual benefit.
How is political instability affecting the hydro sector?
Political instability has definitely affected this sector to some extent, but it is not a major hindrance as commitment is the need of the hour. Nobody is against hydro power development, but the issue is on how to distribute and share benefits and keep national independence intact. If we can manage some local issues and give priority to our national interest, there would not be any problem. We need to talk less and work more, that will solve problems. If you are talking about me, the political scenario has not affected my work.
What are your future plans?
At first, I will work without counting the days or bothering about the government being toppled or any other issue. You will see me at work until the last minute. The establishment of hydropower development and investment public company will help collect funds and boost investment. After that, the major concern will be the transmission line as we need to be very serious on it. If we develop the hydro projects on time too we don’t have the adequate transmission line,s so we will focus on this. Next, is the leakage of electricity. It has to be reduced. I am happy that the ministry’s initiatives in this regard has been very effective. It will continue. Thirdly, NEA has to be made free of politics. We have already initiated the selection of MD through competitive process and soon I will also leave the post of NEA Chairperson. This means that future energy ministers will also occupy that post. This will help to rid NEA of politics.
Source:www.thehimalayantimes.com
Today August 1o 2011. I like the step proceeded by Energy Minister Gokarna Bista. if these type of work succeed. Nepal will be free from energy crisis.
ReplyDeleteWe have also one new idea to solve energy crisis one innovation that may be cheap than hydroelectricity and may be the life savior to different country which are using expensive energy like nuclear energy, wind energy, thermal energy etc.
Its advantages are:-
• National benefit and advantage
1. Effective than other conventional method of producing electricity.
2. It is eco-friendly and alternative source of energy.
3. It is cost effective, less time consuming and effective management of labour.
4. It can generate employment oppurtunity to unemployed skilled manpower of nation.
5. Promise to remove all depedence of fuel from other countries.
6. Opens the door to export and exchange of fuel.
7. Generate crucial investment flow for this nation.
8. Possiblity of electric vehicle and home appliances as the cost of electricity reduce compromising all the other conventional methods of producing electricity.
9. Good source of revenue collection for Nepal Government for prosperous nation.
10. Viable and adjustable on any piece of useless land in any parts of the world.
11. And all the optimistic values we can think of.
I haven't given any detail of our invention because it is new concept and is patten pending.
I have gone to many big private sector and many more government sector for help, for economic and technical help but no one is forward to help us. please help creativity to flourish in Nepal.
Ravi Ghimire
Heavenlypeace.purity@gmail.com