China to set up solar power station in Nepal

KATHMANDU - A team of Chinese experts have begun feasibility study from Monday to install solar power station in Nepal's administrative center, officials said.

The Nepal government has shown willingness to light Singh durbar and its peripheral area with solar panels after the Chinese government had extended technical and financial support towards this effect.

"The team of Chinese experts have begun feasibility study to install solar panel at every buildings located inside Singha durbar and some other government offices in its vicinity," Keshav Dhoj Adhikary, joint secretary at Nepal's Energy Ministry told Xinhua by phone.

He said the team will study about the number of buildings and offices inside and in the periphery of Singha durbar and will determine how much total energy is necessary to substitute the current hydroelectricity in the area.

The government has however estimated that it would require around 5 megawatts energy to light the area.

"The feasibility study report prepared by the Chinese team will only confirm how much energy will be needed and the agreement with the Chinese government will be signed in the same line," added Adhikary.

Previously, a study conducted by Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (APECF) had suggested that Singha durbar requires 3.5 mW energy.

Upon the interest shown by the Chinese authorities, the Nepal government had agreed to install solar energy station in the Singha durbar in a bid to promote alternative energy given the supply side constrain of hydroelectricity in the country.

Adhikary also said that the installation of solar power in Singha durbar will help to address some of the Kathmandu Valley's energy demand while it will also add to the glory of the country' s administrative center.

There are around 40 buildings inside Singha durbar. Apart from them, the government has also decided to put the solar light facility outside the administrative center including the Office of President, the Supreme Court, the Resident of the Prime Minister, the Resident of Ministers and other one dozen government offices and buildings.

In yet another venture, the Nepal government's power monopoly, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), had on October, 2012 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese solar energy firm, Hunan Yueer Solar Energy Technology Co Ltd to set up a 30 mW solar station, the largest ever solar energy project in power hunger Nepal.

According to the MoU, the NEA would buy and sell energy produced from the station. The site for the solar station is yet to be identified.