22nd September 2025, Kathmandu
The Government of Nepal has appointed Manoj Silwal as the new Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
Executive Director of NEA
The Government of Nepal has appointed Manoj Silwal as the new Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Sunday, Ashwin 5, 2082 (September 21, 2025). This move replaces the outgoing director, Hitendra Dev Shakya, who has been reassigned to a special class position at the Water and Energy Commission.
Background and Significance of the Appointment
Manoj Silwal is an experienced technical and administrative professional within the NEA. His appointment comes at a crucial time for Nepal’s energy sector. The NEA, as the country’s largest public utility, is responsible for power generation, distribution, and overall management of the national power grid. The government’s decision to appoint Silwal is based on his extensive background and is expected to bring greater stability and efficiency to the authority. Silwal is also a close aide of Energy Minister Kulman Ghising, who himself previously served as the Executive Director of the NEA and was widely hailed for ending Nepal’s chronic load shedding. The appointment is seen as an effort to bring a dynamic leadership to the NEA and to accelerate the energy sector’s development.
Government’s Expectations for the New Leadership ⚡
The Ministry of Energy has outlined several key expectations for Silwal’s leadership. These expectations reflect the government’s priorities for the energy sector and are crucial for the country’s economic development.
Demand-Supply Balance: The new leadership is expected to maintain a stable balance between electricity demand and supply. This is a perpetual challenge in Nepal, especially with growing industrial and domestic consumption.
System Upgrade: Silwal is tasked with upgrading the current electricity distribution system to make it more efficient and reliable, which includes reducing system losses and improving service quality.
Regional Electricity Trade: The government aims to accelerate regional electricity trade, a significant source of revenue and a key part of Nepal’s long-term energy strategy. This involves negotiating power purchase agreements and improving transmission infrastructure to facilitate energy exports and imports.
Investment Expansion: The NEA is expected to attract and expand investment in the energy sector, which is vital for building new hydropower projects and strengthening the power grid.
Renewable Energy Promotion: The new leadership will also focus on promoting the use of renewable energy sources, aligning with both national and global climate goals.
Public-Private Partnerships: Strengthening public-private partnerships is another key area of focus, as this model is considered essential for accelerating infrastructure development and leveraging private capital and expertise.
The Outgoing Executive Director’s Reassignment
Hitendra Dev Shakya, who was appointed as the Executive Director on Chaitra 11, 2081 (March 24, 2025), has been transferred to a special class position at the Water and Energy Commission. This move comes after a relatively short five-month tenure. Shakya’s reassignment is part of a broader shake-up in the government’s energy sector leadership and is a testament to the dynamic nature of political appointments in Nepal.
For More: Executive Director of NEA