Kathmandu: Ambassador Udo Volz recently toured Nepal’s energy development projects in Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces, accompanied by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and the German Development Bank KfW, highlighting ongoing German development cooperation.
The visit began at the Load Dispatch Center in Kathmandu, the backbone of Nepal’s electricity system, where NEA manages the country’s power demand and supply. Originally built in 2004 and upgraded in 2019 with German support after the earthquake, the facility provided a platform for discussions on ongoing energy challenges and future perspectives.
The Ambassador then visited the Middle Marshyangdi Hydropower Plant, commissioned in 2008, which contributes 70 MW to the national grid and represents Germany’s largest financial support to Nepal’s energy sector. At the site, he observed the construction of a new solar park, demonstrating Germany’s commitment to integrating hydropower and solar energy for a sustainable grid.
The final stop was the Lekhnath-Damauli Transmission Line, a $105 million, 220 kV project supported by German grants and technical expertise. At Damauli, Ambassador Volz met with NEA officials and project partners, including Fichtner, Siemens India, and KEC International, to review progress, discuss technical, environmental, and social challenges, and emphasize the importance of local community involvement.
