International Clean Energy Day was marked in Nepal’s federal capital with a conference on decarbonising the country’s economy, where senior government officials underlined the need for a robust legal and policy framework to expand the use of green energy.
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Anil Kumar Sinha said the government is working towards establishing a strong legal and policy structure to increase green energy consumption. He noted that such an arrangement is essential to achieve Nepal’s national target of reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2045.
Minister Sinha said these policies are necessary to uphold the constitutional right of citizens to a clean environment and to help the country achieve its sustainable development goals. He added that facilities have been provided to convert traditional brick kilns into electric ones as part of efforts to cut pollution.
Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission Prakash Kumar Shrestha said that with nearly 60 per cent of total energy consumption still dependent on imported fuel, all sectors must contribute to achieving the national carbon emission targets. He emphasised the need to raise awareness in the private sector, noting that banks have earmarked loans worth Rs 1.1 trillion for private investment and that the current low interest rates present a good opportunity to invest in green energy.
Executive Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) Nawa Raj Dhakal said that 140 megawatts of electricity have so far been generated from renewable energy sources. To further boost capacity, arrangements have been made for a 27-megawatt solar power plant, along with 132 charging stations and 513 charging points to promote the use of green electricity.
He also said that 4,137 solar-powered irrigation pumps have been installed to reduce reliance on imported fuel for agricultural use.
