Nepal Hydropower Development Project Quarterly Report USG FY19 Q4

The project provides technical assistance to the GoN, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI), and the Office of the Investment Board of Nepal (OIBN). NHDP has also provided capacity building training to the Department of Electricity Development (DoED) and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). NHDP's technical assistance focuses on several key areas, including the development of a new Electricity Act, a Renewable Energy Act, an Energy Efficiency Policy, and a new Water Resources Act in collaboration with USAID's Paani Project. Additionally, the project provides technical assistance to the Electricity Regulatory Commission of Nepal (ERC) to establish its regulatory framework and begin regulatory activities. Capacity building on electricity sector regulation is also provided to the ERC and its related stakeholders. The project's fourth year saw significant support provided to the newly constituted ERC, which was established with NHDP's assistance. NHDP's priorities for its fifth and final year include technical assistance to the MoEWRI, the ERC, and the OIBN's Arun 3 Project Monitoring Unit. Technical assistance is also provided for the Financial Closure of the Upper Trishuli 1 Hydropower Project, including support for a mechanism to allocate local shares. NHDP's work is closely coordinated with Donor Partners, and the project has made significant progress in expanding access to clean, high-quality electricity services in Nepal. The project's efforts have contributed to the realization of Nepal's hydropower potential, both in domestic and export markets. The project's technical assistance is provided through various components, including advisory support to facilitate the development and financial closure of large and medium hydropower projects. NHDP also provides advisory support to the MoEWRI, the NEA, and other key sector stakeholders related to the design and implementation of targeted electricity sector reforms. NHDP's work is focused on several key areas, including the development of large and medium hydropower projects, such as the Arun 3 HPP, Upper Karnali HPP, Upper Marsyangdi-2, Upper Trishuli-1 HPP, and Khimti-1 HPP. The project also provides support to undeveloped projects, such as West Seti and Tamakoshi III. In addition to its technical assistance, NHDP provides capacity building training to various stakeholders, including the DoED and the NEA. The project also supports the establishment of the ERC and provides capacity building on electricity sector regulation for the ERC and its related stakeholders.