Kathmandu, Dec 19: Emphasis has been laid on developing clean energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions by 2045 and achieve sustainable development goals.
At the discussion programme entitled ‘Advancing Nepal’s Clean Energy Future: Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund (SECF) Achievements and Opportunities’ organised here today by the German Agency for International Development (GIZ), the speakers emphasised that energy transformation should be pursued through expanding access to clean energy along with market-oriented solutions.
At the programme, Chiranjeewee Chataut, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, praised the role played by the SECF in building a clean energy future in Nepal.
He stated that the Fund has encouraged private sector investment in the energy sector, increased the use of innovative technology, and helped expand access to clean energy in rural and remote areas.
Executive Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), Nawa Raj Dhakal, expressed the view that programmes such as the SECF have made a significant contribution to mitigating the impacts of climate change, creating employment and promoting economic development.
Programme Manager of GIZ, Dr Frank Fecher, expressed commitment to continue cooperation with Nepal and to further support the promotion of clean energy. He stated that financial and technical assistance has been provided to small and medium-sized energy projects through the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund.
Fecher added that the work has helped in developing local entrepreneurship, expanding energy access, and achieving sustainable development goals.
At the programme, AEPC Deputy Executive Director duo Dr Narayan Prasad Adhikari and Shublakshmi Shrestha, Deputy Head of Mission/ Head of Development Cooperation from the German Embassy Benjamin Seidel, BEEN Adviser Usha Maskey Manandhar, Green Finance Expert of Rastra Banijya Bank (RBB), Rajib Mangal Joshi, Economic Development Team Leader at the British Embassy Kathmandu, Sam Fell, energy expert Suman Dhakal and other speakers shared their views.
The programme discussed the possibilities of clean, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy development, the achievements made so far, and future opportunities.
The speakers believed that increased investment in clean energy still required policy reforms, active participation of the private sector, and international partnerships.
Similarly, the speakers emphasized on focusing on innovation in the energy sector, technology transfer, and the development of local capacity. The programme presented experiences, lessons learned, and success stories of projects implemented under the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund.
