Kathmandu, Jan. 27
Minister for Energy,
Water Resources and Irrigation Anil Kumar Sinha has emphasised the need for the
proper utilisation and conservation of energy sources, while expanding access
to modern energy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Addressing the ‘National
Forum on Clean Energy in Action: Decarbonising Nepal’s Economy’ organised by
the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), he said that promoting a green
economy through the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency is
essential.
Minister Sinha highlighted
that for transformation and progress, many of Nepal's legal provisions need to
be more promotional rather than restrictive, as overly control-oriented laws
create problems in achieving targets.
He pointed out that in
terms of energy development, Nepal should not only focus on hydropower but also
strengthen the role of clean energy components such as solar and wind.
“Our rules and
regulations often act as obstacles to the private sector, rather than promoting
them, and this is creating challenges in achieving our goals,” he said.
“However, it is our responsibility to pass on a secure and developed world to
future generations, and we must make improvements with sensitivity.”
Speaking on the
occasion, stakeholders said that Nepal's economy must be systematically and
progressively transformed into a green economy.
They emphasised the
need to reduce the growing risks of climate change, achieve low carbonisation,
and promote a green economy through the promotion of clean energy.
Chiranjivi Chataut,
Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI),
pointed out that reducing the use of fossil fuels to mitigate the effects of
climate change, while focusing on the development of clean, affordable, and
reliable energy, is a priority.
He noted that clean
energy will play a major role in reducing carbon emissions and emphasised the
high potential for clean energy in Nepal, which requires national and
international cooperation to turn this potential into achievement.
The AEPC is an agency
under the MoEWRI.
Likewise, Dr. Prakash
Kumar Shrestha, Vice-Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC),
mentioned that to reduce traditional and fossil fuel consumption, the expansion
of clean energy production and consumption must be prioritised.
According to him, while
green economy-related plans and targets have been included in various national
programmes, their implementation has been weak, and significant improvements
are needed.
Dr. Shrestha also
called on the private sector to take the initiative, stating that the current
financial resources available present an opportunity to accelerate the
development of clean energy.
Similarly, Executive
Director of the AEPC Nawa Raj Dhakal said that effective programmes are being
implemented, targeting carbon reduction in areas such as transport, industry,
agriculture, and households, including electric vehicle charging stations,
biomass and biogas promotion, solar irrigation pumps, and the expansion of
electric stoves.
Dhakal also mentioned that, with the
support of the government and development partners, the Sustainable Energy
Challenge Fund (SECF) has been successfully implemented as an innovative
programme model, and expressed confidence that continuous support from
development partners would help expand this programme further.
Similarly, Veronica Lorenzo, Ambassador of
the European Union (EU) to Nepal, emphasised the need to increase investment in
renewable energy and energy efficiency to achieve the SDGs.
She also highlighted that the programme,
which was implemented with the support of the EU and the UK Government, based
on the SECF, had achieved significant milestones, and assured that the European
Union would continue to provide support for such programmes.
A book titled "Leveraging Achievements
in Sustainable Energy: Achievements of the Sustainable Energy Challenge
Fund" was also launched at the Forum.
The book summarises the achievements of the
programmes implemented under the SECF.
The forum was orgnaised
to mark the International Day of Clean Energy.
During the conference,
separate technical sessions were also held on topics such as clean energy and
carbon trading, carbon reduction through energy efficiency, and financial
investment in clean energy and e-mobility.
Nepal has prioritised
decarbonisation in its national goals and international commitments, including
its Third Nationally Determined Contribution, the Sustainable Development
Goals, the long-term net-zero strategy, the Sixteenth Plan, and the Energy Development
Roadmap and Action Plan.
The United Nations has been observing January 26
each year as the International Day of Clean Energy since 2024, to raise
awareness and promote actions for a just and inclusive transition to clean
energy that benefits people, the planet and ecosystems.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 January 2026.
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