Kathmandu, Oct 15: The Rastriya Banijya Bank Limited (RBBL) has completed the second round of financial grant disbursements to industries that have successfully implemented energy efficiency (EE) measures under the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme – Green Recovery and Empowerment with Energy in Nepal (REEEP-GREEN) project.
According to an RBBL press release, the grants were disbursed in line with the bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable industrial growth and supporting Nepal’s green transition.
The grant handover ceremony was held at RBBL’s central office in Kathmandu and conducted by Mr. Rajib Mangal Joshi, Green Energy Finance Expert for the REEEP-GREEN project at RBBL. The event was attended by senior officials from RBBL, the European Union (EU), GIZ Nepal, industry representatives, and energy experts.
In this second phase, 13 industries received grants totaling over Rs 40 million after successfully implementing energy-saving measures identified through detailed energy audits. These interventions are expected to generate annual savings of more than 1.23 million kWh of energy, equivalent to cost reductions exceeding Rs 47.75 million per year — a notable contribution to Nepal’s climate and sustainability goals.
The supported industries represent diverse sectors including agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and dairy. AG Health Industries Pvt. Ltd., which received the largest grant of over Rs 10 million, implemented two major EE measures such as replacing manual packaging machines. With a total investment exceeding Rs 40 million, the company expects to save over Rs 10 million annually, showcasing a strong business case for energy-efficient innovation.
During the event, industrial representatives underscored the growing significance of energy efficiency in improving competitiveness. Sumit Kedia, Managing Director of Sitaram Gokul Milks Kathmandu Pvt. Ltd., noted that energy costs account for nearly 30–35% of operational expenses, adding that such initiatives “help industries move beyond awareness to tangible action.”
Dr. Pankaj Tiwari, Managing Director of Arrow Pharmaceuticals Ltd., described the energy audit process as “enlightening,” providing new insights into optimizing energy use while meeting international safety and compliance standards.
Representing the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, Ranjan Prakash Shrestha commended the participating industries for their achievements and encouraged them to sustain their efforts beyond project support. He reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Nepal’s energy transition, highlighting continued investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure to strengthen energy access and reliability nationwide.
Concluding the ceremony, Devendra Raman Khanal, Chief Executive Officer of RBBL, emphasized that conserving energy is as valuable as generating it. He praised the industries for contributing to the national energy efficiency movement, stating, “We hope to see these industries become champions of change — inspiring others to adopt efficient technologies and make a lasting impact on Nepal’s energy future.”
The grant scheme, implemented under the REEEP-GREEN project and co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Government, supports high-impact energy efficiency initiatives by partially covering implementation costs. By bridging financial gaps, it enables industries to adopt efficient technologies, boost productivity, and maintain environmental and labor standards.
The success stories from these grant-supported measures will serve as proof of concept to develop business cases for loan and blended-finance interventions in both public and private sectors, encouraging more industries to adopt energy efficiency measures and promoting sustainable development in Nepal. #nepal #rbbl
