Kathmandu / Renewable energy is a reliable alternative for reducing the use of fossil fuels to achieve sustainable development goals and to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degree Celsius. Gradual reduction of fossil fuels usage by increased production and use of hydropower, solar energy and other types of renewable energy will have multi-faced economic, environmental, social, and human health benefits. Likewise, energy transition is also necessary to fulfill Nepal's international commitments on climate change.
With the aim of exchanging international
practices, learnings, and experiences, on renewable energy use and climate
change, the “International conference
on 100% renewable energy: Policy, Practice and Experience” has been
organized on 18 and 19 December 2022 in Kathmandu.
Renewable energy covers only about three percent
of the current total energy consumption in Nepal. However, if large hydropower
projects are also included, the use of clean energy makes up to eight percent
of the total energy consumption. About 65 percent of Nepal's energy use is
derived from biomass based energy and 27 percent is contributed from imported fossil
fuels. In the last 10 years, the fossil fuel use in Nepal has increased at an alarming
rate, which has put burden in the country’s economy. Fossil fuels worth 3.83
trillion Nepali rupees were imported in Nepal in the last fiscal year only. This
is equivalent to 23 percent of the annual budget of the Government of Nepal
(GoN) of the same fiscal year. A nationwide campaign is necessary for scaling
up the production and use of renewable energy.
The GoN has policy priority to increase
generation of hydropower and solar energy. Nepal’s cumulative capacity of clean
electricity generation from various sources including hydropower, solar,
cogeneration and off-grid renewable is around 2,377 MegaWatt (MW), whereas the
country has placed a target of producing 15,000 MW of clean electricity by 2030
including 5-10% contribution from micro-mini hydro, solar, wind and bioenergy. Promotion
of electric vehicles and electric cooking stoves are on top priority for increase
the use of the generated energy.
Raju Pandit Chhetri, Executive Director of
Prakriti Resources Center, shares that the steps taken by the GoN on renewable
energy, energy mix, and energy transition are welcoming. Furthermore, he says
that along with the production and use of renewable energy, the plan to replace
fossil fuels should also be in place. Chhetri says, “Nepal should set a target
of replacing the fossil fuel usage with renewable energy by 100 percent by the
year 2050.” However, he also expressed that during the transition process, the
economic and social impacts causing to poor and disadvantaged communities
should be minimized and addressed equitably. Director Chhetri informed that
Prakriti Resources Center has considered these principles and is implementing
the 'Multi Actor Platform for 100 percent renewable energy project' from 2020
in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Nepal.
International Conference on 100 % Renewable
Energy: Policy, Practice and Experience
The global average temperature has increased by
1.1 degree Celsius. If greenhouse gases emission is continued at the current
rate, it is estimated that the temperature will rise by 2.5 degree Celsius by
2050. However, the agreement is made globally to limit the global temperature
rise by not more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The government of Nepal has also set a goal of achieving
‘the net zero emissions’ by 2045. In order to achieve this goal, a
collaborative effort by all stakeholders is necessary. The International
conference on “100 % Renewable Energy: Policy, Practice, and Experience"
has been organized to support achieving the national goal.
In this conference, representatives from about
16 countries from South Asia, South East Asia, Africa, and Europe have participated
along with the representatives of Nepal government agencies from federal,
provincial and local levels and international/national non-governmental
organizations, private sectors, bank and financing institutions and development
partner organizations. The participants in the conference are the professionals
from the participating countries including government representatives,
technical experts and practitioners on renewable energy, university professors and
energy-related stakeholders. Altogether, 70 participants will participate in
the conference.
Under the auspices of ‘MAP for 100 % Renewable
Energy’ project, Alternative Energy Promotion Center, Prakriti Resources Center
and World Wide Fund for Nature has jointly organised this conference, in which
policy, practice and technology-related learning in the field of renewable
energy and climate change were discussed and shared.
Madhusudan Adhikari, Executive Director of
Alternative Energy Promotion Center, says that in the international conference
on '100% Renewable Energy: Policy, Practice and Experience', Nepal can share the
good practices made in the field of renewable energy and climate change to the global
communities. Also, he strongly believes that this conference is fruitful to
know and learn about the energy related technologies and applications developed
and applied in other countries of the world.
Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung, Country Representative
of WWF Nepal, stresses on the importance of engaging the government, civil
society, the private sector and all relevant stakeholders to collaborate for
promotion and scaling up of renewable energy in Nepal. The ‘MAP for 100 % Renewable
Energy’ project has embraced this idea and is creating the dialogue among the
major stakeholders working in the energy sector in Nepal.
Climate change is a global problem affecting people
all over the world. Therefore, our collective action is necessary to reduce
climate change. Considering this fact into account, we believe that the
conference on '100% Renewable Energy: Policy, Practice and Experience' has
contributed in creating a conducive environment for the scaling up of renewable
energy and addressing climate change.
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