16th Assembly of IRENA
Kathmandu, Jan. 12
Nepal has underscored its
long-term renewable energy ambitions and the need for international climate
finance at the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy
Agency (IRENA), held in Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The event formally began in
Abu Dhabi on January 11, Sunday.
Addressing the Assembly, Executive
Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) Nawa Raj Dhakal informed
that Nepal's energy development roadmap aimed to expand installed electricity
generation capacity to 28,500 megawatts by 2035.
He noted that Nepal also
targets raising per capita electricity consumption to 1,500 kilowatt-hours per
year and exporting 15,000 megawatts of electricity by the same year, the
Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi informed in a statement.
Dhakal emphasised that
mobilising international financial resources would be critical to achieve Nepal’s
ambitious renewable energy targets.
According to the Embassy, he
informed the Assembly that the estimated cost of meeting Nepal’s Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC) targets by 2035 stands at USD 73.74 billion, of
which around 85 per cent is expected to be met through international climate
finance and external support.
Earlier, on Saturday, during
pre-Assembly meetings, Dhakal also spoke at sessions on Call to Action on
Skilling for Energy Transition and Mobilising Finance for Clean Cooking. He
highlighted Nepal’s efforts to prioritise education, skills development and the
production of a skilled workforce to support energy transition goals.
"He noted that
energy-related subjects have been incorporated from school to university
levels, while technical training in solar, biogas, hydropower and electrical
technologies is being provided under the Council for Technical Education and
Vocational Training (CTEVT) system," read the statement issued by the
Embassy of Nepal.
Presenting Nepal’s clean
cooking initiatives, Dhakal sought technical and financial support from IRENA
and development partners in four key areas: education and awareness, quality
assurance, creating a conducive environment for the private sector, and providing
low-interest loans for consumers.
On the sidelines of the
Assembly, Dhakal also held a separate meeting with IRENA Deputy
Director-General Gauri Singh, requesting expedited implementation of
IRENA-supported projects approved for Nepal.
The Embassy of Nepal in Abu
Dhabi said the Assembly is expected to play a significant role in advancing the
global energy transition and promoting inclusive and sustainable prosperity
through renewable energy.
Nepali delegation to the
Assembly was led by Nepal’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and
Permanent Representative to IRENA, Tej Bahadur Chhetri, and included Dhakal and
officials from the Embassy.
The Assembly, that concluded
on Monday, was held under the theme 'Powering humanity: Renewable energy for shared
prosperity” and brought together more than 1,500 delegates from around 171
countries. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Dominican
Republic’s Minister for Energy Joel Santos, and President of the UN General
Assembly Annalena Baerbock addressed the Assembly virtually.
The Embassy informed that
the discussions at the Assembly were focused on regional energy transition,
strengthening electricity grids, long-term energy planning, digital innovation
and the use of artificial intelligence, sustainable aviation fuels and
financing mechanisms, the role of renewable energy in agriculture and food
systems, and green industrialisation.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 January 2026.
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