Who Is Kulman Ghising? Power Reformer and Frontrunner For Nepal’s Interim PM

Kulman Ghising, the former CEO of Nepal's electricity authority, has emerged as the leading name for interim prime minister following the resignation of KP Sharma Oli. His name has been put forward by Nepal's Gen Z protest movement, which is pushing for new leadership amid nationwide unrest.

On Thursday, after the Nepal Army imposed restrictive orders and enforced a curfew until 6 am, reports suggested that three figures-former chief justice Sushila Karki, Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, and Kulman Ghising-were under consideration by the Gen Z group to head an interim government.

Five key facts about Kulman Ghising:

Ended load-shedding in Nepal: Ghising is widely credited for ending the chronic load-shedding crisis that once left Nepal with up to 18-hour daily power cuts. An electrical engineer by training, he became a household name for restoring regular electricity supply.

Educational background: He earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Regional Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur, India, and later pursued a master's degree in power systems engineering at the Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Professional journey: Ghising began his career at the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) in 1994, steadily moving up the ranks. In 2016, he was appointed managing director of NEA, where he spearheaded reforms that resolved the power crisis. After a four-year term, he was replaced in 2020 but returned to the role in 2021.

Removal from NEA: On March 24, 2025, just months before his tenure was due to end in August, Ghising was dismissed as executive director of the NEA by the KP Sharma Oli government. He was replaced by Hitendra Dev Shakya.

Public backlash: His ouster provoked strong criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups, who credited him with transforming Nepal's energy sector. Many accused the Oli government of acting on political motives rather than performance.

Kulman Ghising's reputation as a reformer who ended load-shedding has placed him at the forefront of discussions on interim leadership, making him a serious contender to lead Nepal in a turbulent political moment.