The Nepal Weekly 
February 27, 2024
Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC), the focal agency of Government of Nepal on renewable energy and energy efficiency in Nepal and Renewable World, a UK based INGO working in Nepal since 2012 for transforming lives through clean energy jointly conducted a national workshop on “Transition to Clean Energy for Economic Prosperity” in Lalitpur on Friday. The vent was participated in by relevant government agencies, development partners, academia, private sector, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders.
Develop a better understanding to create synergies among Government, INGOs/NGOs/Donors and Private sector to promote Clean Energy in Nepal to contribute to energy security and economic development. And, identify priority actions that contribute to COP 28 declarations of tripling the RE capacity and double the progress of Energy Efficiency by 2030 were the objectives of the workshop.
On the occasion Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet said that the Government of Nepal is taking seriously on utilization of renewable energy technologies to achieve zero emissions by 2045.
He stressed that the use of solar energy is crucial in improving the lives of people residing in rural Nepal mainly off-grid locations.
Moreover, for the people living in remote and difficult terrain with no immediate hope for national grid connection, reliable and affordable clean energy technologies are key.
Likewise, Sushil Chandra Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, stated that the government is prepared to work closely with various organizations, including the private sector, NGOs, and INGOs, to provide renewable energy in rural areas of the country.
Al Richardson, Global Project Director of Renewable World, stated that the organization’s role is critical in achieving Nepal’s goal of zero emissions by 2045. Richardson also expressed readiness to support Nepal in achieving clean and green energy.
Executive director of AEPC also had spoke on the occasion. He said that AEPC is working with international development, financing agencies, private sector and communities.
Thakur Thapa, Country Director of Renewable World, presented the objective of the programme and set the context for the workshop.
Renewable World is currently working in Karnali, Sudurpashchim, and Lumbini provinces in close collaboration and partnership with local communities. He discussed ongoing projects in various municipalities in Karnali Province and emphasized the organization’s focus on locally led development and achieving catalytic change.
Guna Raj Dhakal, chairperson of the Renewable Energy Confederation of Nepal (RECON), elaborated on the importance of renewable energy technologies and potential contribution to the economic prosperity of the people through renewable energy in Nepal’s context. He also pointed out the need of policy to be conducive for private sector to invest in RE business and also tap external financing.
During the program, Bhagawan Shrestha, chairperson of the Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN) spoke on the occasion.
A discussion was conducted in the technical session of the programme. Dr. Narayan Prasad Adhikari, director, AEPC, Achyut Babu Ghimire, director, NEA, Resha Piya, energy advisor, FCDO, Grishma Shah, senior project officer at ADB, Pooja Sharma, country director, Practical Action and Nabin Bhujel, managing director of Suryodaya Urja were the panelists. The session was chaired by Nabin Raj Singh, joint secretary, MoEWRI. and moderated by Suman Basnet, team leader of Nepal Renewable Energy Programme.A presentation by Sanjib Kumar Lal, Technical Lead elaborated on RETs on global context and activities in Nepal including the achievement of Renewable World in application of RETs in rural areas conducted as pilot projects.
During the panel discussion, Pooja Sharma, Country Director at Practical Action, highlighted the challenges faced in expanding the renewable energy program due to a lack of coordination among different ministries.
AEPC and Renewable World have partnered to identify priority actions for government agencies, INGOs/NGOs/Donors, and the private sector that will contribute to the COP 28 goal of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling progress in energy efficiency by 2030. (TNW)
