Year of Renewable Energy 2081

On the occasion of the New Year 2081 B.S., Renewable Energy Confederation of Nepal (RECON) has extended its best wishes proposing the Year of Renewable Energy to focus on development of RETs. It has addressed Nepal Government, development agencies, donor organisations, private sector, academia and media for the rapid development of renewable energy technologies in Nepal to tackle the climate change effects, pollution control and also to minimise consumption of imported fossil fuels. It had mentioned that the year 2081 Bikram Sambat should an occasion of the state to declare as Year of Renewable Energy 2081.  Guna Raj Dhakal, chairperson of the confederation had circulated a message to this effect to all stakeholders.

The organisation elaborates that renewable energy technologies and energy generated by renewable energy sources have been recognised by the entire World to replace fossil fuels. Remarkably fossil fuels are identified as the biggest contributors of climate change.

Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geo -thermal heat. Renewable energy often provides energy in four important areas: electricity generation, air and water and water heating/ cooling, transportation, and rural (off-grid) energy services. The major renewable energy resources are – Solar, Wind, Water, also called hydro, Biogas, Biomass or organic material from plants and animals, Geothermal, which is naturally occurring heat from the earth.

The climate situation is getting worse year by year and it needs to be taken into control, the world community is shouting for the possible remedies taking RETs as the best possible option.

Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate change, and they are expected to get worse.

The climate crisis has been the serious agenda every time that starts mainly from The Earth Summit (Rio de Janerio, Brazil, 1992), Kyoto Convention (Kyoto, Japan, 1994) and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP 16 (Paris, France, 2021) COP26 (Glasgow, England 2022) and COP 28 (Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2023) had generated ambitions and efforts for rapid actions to control climate change effects. The global events identified the issues and remedies.

The COPs as stated above COP16, COP26 and COP28 are considered very important as they had formulated some strategic instruments to control climate change effects by managing technical, managerial and financial capacities. Moreover, the latest COP had brought in an agenda to phase out fossil fuel completely at the soonest. Finally, that was negotiated stating ”transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science.” Another outcome was provisions for loss and damage of climate caused losses of developing and mountain countries. The ambition set for triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency till year 2030 is another land mark resolution.

Similarly, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all United Nations members in 2015, created 17 world Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Besides all fundamental facilities to human beings and restoration of livable conditions, it also had highlighted equal social justification in access to modern energy to all until the year 2030.

Nepal is endowed with immense of renewable energy resources. More than 6000 rivers and rivulets are opportunities for hydropower and microhydro. Likewise, 21000 Mw of electricity can be generated from Solar insolation. Wind energy, biogas, biomass are also potential resources.

The country needs to generate more energy by utilising such resources which can give plenty of benefits. The energy generated can be utilised for industries, agriculture, household uses, transportation mainly. Thus the country can harvest benefits and reduce import of fossil fuels to almost zero.

Besides being signatory to the important global climate documents, Nepal had expressed commitment to achieve Net Zero Emission by year 2045. It had also submitted Nationally Determined Contributions to UNFCCC. Moreover, extensive goals have expressed in the Energy Whitepaper (2015) and Periodical National Plans. Emphasis on electric transportation and electric domestic cooking are also worth mention. 

Favourable policies, investment and technical capacity are the need of the country in terms of renewable energy promotion and development. As such, the Government and stakeholder need to be serious on enhancing policies, investment and technical capacity.

Nepal, so far, has not achieved renewable energy development due to political willpower and fund management. The country could have accessed to larger amount of climate related funds from global institutions as grants and soft loans. Likewise, considerable size of fund from carbon trade also could have been tapped.

Therefore, RECON mentions need of focus on renewable energy development. In this context, RECON demands conducive environment for RE promotion and development. That can be bring RET into focus by declaring the current year as Year of Renewable Energy 2081. 

RECON is a common forum of associations of private sector involved in supplying and delivering alternative energy service and NGOs involved in promotion of alternative energy in Nepal. It works as an umbrella organization of associations of private sector who are committed to lobby and advocacy and are highly dedicated in creating enabling environment to safe guard the rights and wellbeing of professionals and practitioners involved in renewable energy value chain.

Seven institutions, such as, Forum of Renewable Energy Associations Nepal (FoRAN), Nepal Biogas Promotion Association (NBPA), Nepal Micro Hydropower Development Association (NMHDA), Rural Technology Promotion Association Nepal (RuTPAN) Solar Electric Manufacturers Association Nepal (SEMAN), Solar Thermal Association Nepal (STAN) and Water and Energy Consultants Association Nepal (WECAN) are associated with (RECON). Biogas Support Programme Nepal (BSP-Nepal) and Resource Management and Rural Empowerment Centre (REMREC) had joined to the confederation. The confederation plans for wider partnerships in the sector to grow more and help all stakeholders to well grow so as more such institutions are expected to join RECON. Biomass Energy Entrepreneurs Association Nepal (BEEN) also had joined RECON as a member organisation.