Nepal hosing first ever Green Hydrogen Summit

Kathmandu, Sept. 27

With the aim of increasing investment in the clean energy sector and sustainable climate-friendly infrastructure to reduce the impact of climate change and achieve economic prosperity, Green Hydrogen Summit (NGHS) is being held for the first time in Nepal on October 10 and 11 this year.

The organisers informed at a press conference on Tuesday that the summit would  try to prepare a foundation for the support to the study of production, storage and distribution capacity of green hydrogen. It has given a theme 'antidote for melting mountains'.

It is being organised by the MIT Group Foundation, Global NRN Foundation, Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

Chairman of MIT Group Foundation and former chairman of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Shesh Ghale informed that the summit was being organised to discuss ways to make hydrogen production feasible in Nepal since it has emerged as an environmentally and economically strong option across the world.

"The government should create a clear vision for green hydrogen production and create an environment where the private sector can also take the lead," he said.

Jamuna Ghale, the founding member of Global NRN Foundation, informed in the press conference that there would be a serious brainstorming on the policy and other arrangements to be made in Nepal based on the international experiences and technologies used in the field of hydrogen production.

According to her, it is necessary for all stakeholders to use the immense potential of water resources in hydrogen production to improve the environment, public health, and export trade.

Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Wind Power Nepal, Kushal Gurung, said that distinguished personalities of Nepali industry, representatives of various ministries and government offices, development partners, multilateral international community, United Nations agencies, foreign embassies, international experts and representatives of major companies working in green hydrogen technology would participate in the event.

Janaki Gurung, founding member of Global NRN Foundation, said that the conference will discuss and analyse the production of green hydrogen in Nepal and its uses to reduce the impact of climate change.

According to the organisers, the goal of the conference is also to increase the assurance of energy and food security by developing an environmentally sustainable green hydrogen economy in Nepal.

Similarly, international speakers will give information about the cost of green hydrogen production, the technology used and the global trends. Gurung said that the aim of the conference is to attract large amount of private investment in green hydrogen and urea production.

It is also expected to help the Nepal government prepare a roadmap for easy transmission of energy, which will help achieve sustainable development goals, prioritise green and climate-friendly green hydrogen plans.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 September 2022.