The government has once again revived its plan to install a solar power system inside Singha Durbar.

The government had previously planned to generate 1MW electricity using solar energy in 2011. After the plan did not materialise,  it was brought up once again in 2013 with an increased capacity of 5 MW. The feasibility study began a year later in 2014, The project, however, had to be dropped before it could take off, because of the April 25 earthquake that damaged several buildings inside Singha Durbar.  

This time, however, the government is committed to see the plan through. The plan of installing 5MW solar plant has been revised back to the initial plan of generating 1MW electricity.

“We will install the solar power system in Singha Durbar with the capacity of generating  1MW electricity within a year,” Assistant Spokesperson of Energy Ministry Gokarna Raj Pant said. He added the damage to buildings caused by the earthquake was the reason why the government decided to generate 1MW electricity.

The solar power system is being installed with the Chinese grant.

“The survey has been completed. Now design and procurement remain,” he said. “Once the official procedures are completed, the installation work should not take much time.”

There are 42 buildings inside the main administrative complex of Singha Durbar which was built during the time of Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher.

Altogether, solar panels will be installed in 18 buildings. Solar panels will not be installed in the buildings where new floors will be constructed in the future.

Previously, a study conducted by Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation had suggested that Singha Durbar requires 3.5MW

electricity.

The recent revival of solar plant project inside Singha Durbar follows the government’s decision to make it mandatory for all public, commercial and institutional buildings in urban areas to generate at least a quarter of their electricity requirement using solar power system.

According to Nepal Electricity Authority, peak power demand in the country is about 1,300MW, with 585MW load shedding. NEA-run hydropower projects supply 360MW, independent power producers contribute 125MW and 225MW is imported from India.