Need for optimising use of marginal rivers stressed

January 8, 2003
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KATHMANDU, Jan. 8: Minister for Water Resources Dipak Gyanwali has stressed the need to optimise the use of marginal rivers to meet the growing need of power. Prioritisation of projects is essential for optimum turnover, said Minister Gyanwali at a programme on “South Asia Centre for Policy Studies – Task Force Study Findings” here today.

Minister Gyanwali said that dynamics of micro and macro aspects should be taken into consideration while implementing the power projects. Moreover, common efforts to tap the resources are essential, he added.

Hydropower expert Shanker K. Malla said that energy utilities in South Asia are mostly operated by the public sector which is not commercially not viable. Hence, revenue from sale of energy does not meet the full costs of supplying electricity, resulting in deteriorating service delivery, he added. Losses incurred during transition and distribution are high in the region. Import of petroleum products to meet the growing demand of energy will keep on increasing, putting additional pressure on the balance of payments (BoP), Malla added.

He further said that there was a great deal of complementarity in the energy sector in South Asia. The region is endowed with coal, gas and water resources. The existing arrangement between the countries of the region is nominal though its potential is enormous, he added.

Commenting on the paper presented by Malla, another energy expert Santa Bahadur Pun pointed out the need for joint efforts in harnessing the resources of the region.

The programme was jointly organised by the Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS) and South Asia Centre for Policy Studies (SACEPS).