The task force, led by former government secretary Som Nath Poudel, presented the report to Minster for Water Resources Bishnu Poudel.
The 15-member task force was formed on December 3, 2008 and was given the responsibility of devising a 10 year national road map and plans.
Presenting the report, task force member secretary Leela Nath Bhattarai said “Lack of adequate energy is hindering the progress in almost all sectors. Construction works have been obstructed due the lack of energy.
The report identified political stability as a basic requirement to fulfill the national responsibility. It also asked for commitments, both theoretical and practical, from all political parties and asked them to set a common agenda of hydropower development as the backbone of national development. The report further urged the government to end impunity and ensure peace security and maintain law and order in the hydropower sector.
The report estimated that the NEA, with its resources and foreign assistance, should generate 22% or 2,347 MW and the independent power producers should generate 64% or 6,972 MW. Remaining 14% or 1,452 MW should be managed from dedicated imports.
It also outlined that the repair and maintenance work, as well as the expansion of existing power houses, should be carried out as required and that the Integrated Service Centers would provide permission to carry out survey, generation, transmission and distribution and the permission on forest and environment aspects under one umbrella.
The report also said the completion of 400 kilovolt (KV) east-west transmission line and 200/400 KV north-south transmission line on time would be essential to distribute the energy generated in future.
Receiving the report, Minister Poudel said that the government was committed to meet the ambitious target.
