| Background |
|
In 1911,
the 500 kW Pharping Plant became the first hydropower installation
to be commissioned in the country. It took almost three decades
before the 640 KW Sundarijal Plant came into operation, followed
by the 2.4 MW Panauti Plant, which was commissioned in 1965.
In 1989 the total installed capacity reached about 250 MW
after successive plant were built with assistance from India,
China, Russia, along with loans.
A very slow hydropower development followed in the nineties
due to the financial incapability of local institution. This
created an imbalance between demand and supply of electricity
and forced the NEA to start a process of load shedding in
the country.
Realizing the need to boost up hydropower production the Government
of Nepal decided to open its door in 1992 to the private sector
involving both local and foreign investors.
At this stage during the Nepal investment forum organised
by Ministry of Industry HMG, UNIDO and UNDP between November
30 and December 4, 1992, many hydro-power experts and interested
business entrepreneurs took part in the meeting and some of
them jointly established Swet Bhairab Power Supply (Pvt.)
Ltd. (SBPS).
Thus, Swet Bhairab Power Supply (Pvt.) Ltd. (SBPS) was established
during middle of 1992 with the prime objectives of Hydropower
development in the country which are economic, self-sustainable
and manageable by country's own manpower. |
