'Nepal needs a model for rural electricity'

Lalitpur, Oct. 13: Experts Thursday stressed the need for developing a model for the rural electrification in Nepal.

“Although the country has a century-long history of electricity, it does not have any model for the rural electrification. Hydropower projects are capital-intensive and the community cannot raise the money required for it, so we need a model that can be replicated,” Khadga Bahadur Bisht, past President of the Independent Power Producers’ Association Nepal (IPPAN), said.  

He made this remark at an interaction on ‘Nepal’s Renewable Energy Future’ organised jointly by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and the Norwegian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Bisht said that the community should pay the reasonable charges for using the electricity in order to raise sufficient money for the maintenance of the project.

Principal Consultant for IOD PARC Sheelagh O’Reilly also pointed towards a need of a model for rural electrification.

“The government should offer subsidy in the appropriate areas, and all kinds of energy should be accessed at the same rate,” she said.

Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal Lasse Bjorn Johannessen said that fundamental development of education and healthcare would be affected due to the lack of electricity.

“As 99 per cent people should have access to electricity by 2030, Nepal should expedite the process of rural electrification,” he said.

He stated that 99 per cent energy in Norway is renewable and use of electrical vehicle is promoted by the government.

Spokesperson at the AEPC Nawa Raj Dhakal said that the government was launching a national campaign for the capacity building of the local bodies across the country.

According to him, the German Development Agency (GIZ) is providing Rs. 500 million for the programme.

Managing Director of Astrek Group and mountaineer Dawa Steven Sherpa said that the people in the mountains wanted technology at cheaper prices.

“It is very necessary to expand the access to the energy as it opens up many avenues for the economic activities and development in the country,” he said.

He stated that many communities in the mountains are running their own energy plants ranging from micro hydro to solar panels.

The discussion explored the role of renewable energy circulating technology developments, innovation, inclusivity, youth roles, investment framework and national policies.