February 10, 2025, Monday
Nepal 1:37:26 pm

Government is committed to sustainable energy development with zero carbon target: Minister Khadka

Marking clean energy day experts stress on clean, resilient and low cost energy solutions

The Nepal Weekly
January 28, 2025

Minister Khadka speaking on the occasion

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka said that the government is proceeding in a planned manner to make energy development the basis of a sustainable, inclusive and low carbon economy. He mentioned addressing the event ‘Energy Transformation Conference for Sustainable and Low Carbon Economy, 2025’ organized by Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) in Kathmandu. He added that the government is moving on the path of sustainable development by implementing plans such as reducing risks in development projects, increasing internal energy consumption, and promoting energy exports.

Throwing light on the 10-year (2025 to 2035) energy development strategy announced by the Government recently, he said, “a strong government instrumental for achieving the desire goals. In this context, we have amended various laws and made them relevant to the times, as well as aiming to increase per capita energy consumption to 1,500 units per year in the next 10 years.”

Recalling the commitment of Nepal to achieve the goal of zero carbon emissions by 2045, Minister Khadka informed that the government has a strong plan to achieve this goal and the necessary laws have been amended and structures have been built.

He said that to make the energy sector more powerful, the government has also made the private sector participate in the construction and operation of the transmission line. He also said that the policy of distribution of shares has been implemented to financially empower the residents of the areas affected by the energy project. “It is mandatory by policy that shares ranging from Rs 200 thousand 500 thousand for at least one hydropower project affected households. This will not only raise investment, but also increase local involvement to the project,” he said.

He also said that the government’s policy is to increase domestic consumption of energy and promote exports. Similarly, he emphasized that the participation of all categories and sectors including donor agencies, development partners, and the private sector is necessary in the energy development campaign.

In addition, he opined that the energy transformation conference will create a significant wayout to move Nepal towards a sustainable and low carbon economy, Minister Khadka said that the government will receive the recommendations made by the conference and address them as needed.

Water Resources and Irrigation Secretary Sarita Dawadi, on the occasion, said that it is necessary to increase investment in renewable energy for 100 percent electrification. “The government has given importance to the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency while making policies, plans, and laws. In places where the transmission line does not reach, electrification should also be done from alternative energy sources”. She said, “Some of such important matters have been included in the policy and action plan, while some are yet under consideration. Moreover, the government will pay attention to such matters.”

Pippa Bird, director of development and deputy ambassador of the British Embassy in Nepal, mentioned that emphasis should be placed on the mobilization of green finance for the promotion of renewable energy. “Nepal should emphasize on the development of renewable energy projects by promoting climate finance, green bonds and the latest financial mobilization and foreign investment,” she added. She also stressed on issues such as a strong distribution system to increase domestic electricity access, infrastructure development for international transmission for electricity trade.

Nawaraj Dhakal, executive director of AEPC and chair of the event said that collaborations with various development partners, the private sector, and the local level governments to make the energy system sustainable, reliable and to achieve more achievements in the field of energy security. According to him, more work is still to be done in areas such as bringing electricity to places where electricity is not accessible, energy from waste, solar energy, wind energy, energy storage, determining the standards of electric vehicles, and promoting electric vehicles. Similarly, he pointed out the need for the private sector to work as producers and service providers.

Pema Gamso, director general of ICIMOD, said that energy security is also an issue related to food security. He said that Nepal has ample potential to gain more benefits by increasing the use of clean energy in the public transport sector, agriculture, tourism and other sectors. He suggested that in countries like Nepal and Bhutan, which are prone to natural disasters, more emphasis should be placed on the construction of small hydropower projects rather than large ones.

The event was inaugurated by Minister Khadka while Deputy executive director of AEPC Dr. Narayan Adhikari delivered welcome speech. Prof. Dr. Shobhakar Dhakal had delivered the keynote speech elaborating the importance of clan energy for the entire world community as well as Nepal. He explained advantages of clean energy for the economic development as well as fight climate change effects.

Panel discussions, knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences in multiple dimensions of clean energy for the promotion and development were conducted during the conference.

Representatives of government sector, donors, development partners, private sector, financial institutions, academia and media had participated in the event.

The conference was organised marking the International Day of Clean Energy 2025.

The International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January was declared by the General Assembly as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.

26 January is also the founding date of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a global intergovernmental agency established in 2009 to support countries in their energy transitions, serve as a platform for international cooperation, and provide data and analyses on clean energy technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment.