4th Himalayan Hydro Expo Kicks Off in Kathmandu with Electric Vehicle Rally

The 4th Himalayan Hydro Expo 2024 commenced on Wednesday in Kathmandu, Nepal, organized by the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN).

The three-day event, themed 'Green Energy for Prosperity', aims to encourage the consumption of electricity and electric vehicles in the country.

Prior to the expo's official inauguration, a vibrant Kathmandu Electric Vehicle (EV) rally was held with the participation of 300 people. Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, inaugurated the rally, expressing hope that the expo, organized on the eve of the Nepal Investment Summit, would contribute to the success of the summit.

The EV rally, organized by IPPAN, sought to promote electric vehicles and increase electricity consumption in Nepal. IPPAN President Ganesh Karki stated that the government has set a target of consuming 13,000 megawatts of electricity by 2035, which should be encouraged through such initiatives.

Why this matters: The 4th Himalayan Hydro Expo and the accompanying EV rally underscore Nepal's commitment to sustainable energy and green transportation. As the country aims to boost electricity consumption and attract investment in its hydropower sector, events like these showcase the potential for growth and development in the renewable energy sector.

President of Nepal, Ram Chandra Paudel, is scheduled to formally inaugurate the expo on Thursday. The three-day event will cover various aspects of sustainable, inclusive, green, accessible and profitable energy development, domestic and foreign investment, capital collection and management, people's participation, domestic consumption and electricity trade, prosperity and social development, and policy and political priorities. A technical session and a competition of goods and services related to hydropower will also be organized as part of the expo.

Key Takeaways

• 4th Himalayan Hydro Expo 2024 commenced in Kathmandu, Nepal, organized by IPPAN.
• Expo aims to encourage electricity and EV consumption, with a pre-event EV rally.
• Minister inaugurated the EV rally, expressing hope for the Nepal Investment Summit.
• Nepal targets 13,000 MW electricity consumption by 2035, to be boosted by the expo.
• Expo to cover sustainable energy, investment, and policy priorities in the sector.