Minister Ghising and Korean Ambassador Discuss Hydropower, Green Energy, and Employment Cooperation
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kulman Ghising held a courtesy meeting with South Korean Ambassador to Nepal, Park Tae-young, at the ministry office in Singha Durbar.
During the meeting, Ambassador Park extended congratulations on behalf of the Korean government and wished Minister Ghising a successful tenure.
Minister Ghising highlighted the longstanding economic cooperation between Nepal and South Korea and stressed the need for large reservoir-based hydropower projects to balance Nepal’s energy supply and boost electricity exports. He proposed that projects with capacities of over 500 MW could be developed either through government-to-government partnerships or investment by Korean private companies, noting that such models have proven successful in Korea and hold strong potential in Nepal.
He also requested Korea’s assistance in developing a pilot project for green hydrogen production in Nepal, aimed at fertilizer manufacturing and public transportation.
Minister Ghising urged Korea to increase the labor quota for Nepali workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS), provide skill development training before departure, and support entrepreneurship programs in Nepal to utilize the skills acquired in Korea upon workers’ return.
He further requested the Korean side to expedite the Inaruwa–Anarmani 400 kV transmission line project, which links the Arun River Corridor to the East-West transmission line, through financing from the Korean Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. Additionally, he sought cooperation in railway construction, operation, and maintenance capacity building.
Ambassador Park briefed Minister Ghising on the progress of the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project in Rasuwa, being built with major Korean investment. He informed that around 70% of the project work has been completed, with the main tunnel breakthrough planned for December, and invited the minister to attend the ceremony. He also thanked the Nepal government and Nepal Electricity Authority for their support in advancing the project.
Furthermore, Ambassador Park mentioned that Korea plans to organize a seminar in Nepal in collaboration with private energy producers to attract Korean investment in Nepal’s energy sector. He added that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Finance to provide financial assistance for transmission line construction.
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