Solar Power Producers Association Leadership Election Update

8th January 2026, Kathmandu

The Solar Power Producers Association of Nepal (SPAN) has officially elected Bharat Kumar Malla as its new President following the successful completion of its 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election assembly in Kathmandu. This milestone event, held on January 6, 2026, resulted in the formation of a 16 member executive committee tasked with leading the nation s solar energy sector through a period of rapid technological and regulatory change.

Solar Power Producers Leadership

The election comes at a time when the Nepal government, led by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, is aggressively pursuing a policy of energy diversification. During the assembly, Energy Minister Kulman Ghising emphasized that increasing solar power generation is essential to reducing the country s reliance on seasonal electricity imports and achieving full electrification within the next two years.

Strategic Leadership and the New Executive Committee

The newly elected leadership team comprises seasoned professionals from the renewable energy industry, balancing technical expertise with advocacy skills. Bharat Kumar Malla, a prominent figure in the solar sector, will lead the association in its efforts to streamline solar policies and encourage private investment in large scale solar farms and rooftop PV systems.

The core leadership team for the 2082 to 2084 tenure includes:

President: Bharat Kumar Malla

Senior Vice President: Deepak Gautam

First Vice President: Rameshwar Wagle

Second Vice President: Sudarsan Baniya

General Secretary: Netra Bahadur Khatri

Secretary: Keshavraj Sharma

Treasurer: Ram Prasad Koirala

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The executive committee also includes nine other members: Rajendra Bahadur Khadka, Nistha Gautam, Bishwo Shah, Krishna Raj Chudali, Yogendra Bahadur Shrestha, Dipak Raj Paudel, Tilak Lal Shrestha, Kumar Basnet, and Subodh Rimal. This diverse board is expected to represent the interests of the 138 member companies currently registered under the association.

The Role of SPAN in Nepal’s Renewable Energy Roadmap

Founded on Shrawan 20, 2057 BS (August 4, 2000), the Solar Power Producers Association has evolved into the primary voice for the solar industry in Nepal. Its mission is to organize and professionalize the private sector entities involved in solar manufacturing, installation, and power production.

The association’s strategic goals for the coming years include:

Policy Advocacy: Working with the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and the National Planning Commission to ensure that solar energy is prioritized in the 16th Five Year Plan.

Grid Integration: Facilitating the technical and legal requirements for connecting private solar projects to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) national grid.

Rural Electrification: Supporting decentralized solar solutions for drinking water, irrigation, and healthcare in remote districts where grid expansion is geographically challenging.

Climate Resilience: Promoting solar as a critical “energy backup” to hydropower, which is increasingly vulnerable to climate induced changes in river flow and seasonal water scarcity.

Celebrating the Silver Jubilee and Future Prospects

The 25th AGM also marked the beginning of the association s Silver Jubilee celebrations. Over the past quarter century, SPAN has played a pivotal role in transitioning Nepal from a country reliant on traditional fuels to one exploring the frontiers of clean energy. The association plans to host a series of workshops, innovation summits, and public awareness campaigns throughout 2026 to highlight the potential of solar energy in reducing carbon footprints and lowering energy costs for the average citizen.

As solar technology costs continue to decline globally, SPAN aims to make solar energy a “dignified and systematic” part of the national economy. The leadership under Bharat Kumar Malla is particularly focused on the upcoming “Mission 28,500 MW” target set by the government, where solar is expected to play a complementary role to the massive hydropower projects currently under development.

Conclusion

The election of Bharat Kumar Malla and the new executive committee represents a fresh start for the solar industry in Nepal. With a clear mandate from both the private sector and the government, the association is well positioned to lead the country toward a more sustainable and energy secure future. As Nepal strives to meet its net zero emissions targets, the work of the Solar Power Producers Association will be instrumental in ensuring that every household, regardless of its location, has access to reliable and clean solar power.

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