European Union to support alternative energy project

The European Union is supporting Nepal in the implementation of the Renewable Energy Project (REP). This project is executed by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC). The overall objective of the REP is to create a renewable energy infrastructure in rural areas, which facilitates income generation, sustainable growth and delivery of social services, thus alleviating poverty. The total project cost is estimated at EUR 15.675 million thereof EUR 15 million from the European Union and 0.675 as GoN’s contribution.

REP is providing solar energy systems to communities of around 300 VDCs in 21 remote districts of Nepal. In order to maximize the impact of the project and ensure the best use of available resources, REP made multifaceted efforts while identifying the target communities, generating awareness regarding energy demand collection, and conducting feasibility studies in the first year of field implementation.
 
As a part of consultation process aimed at transparency and equal access to information, REP conducted 22 district level workshops amidst 1,600 participants.  The principle objective of the workshops was to mobilize the communities for energy demand. Following the same principle, REP is conducting second around of district workshops where up to 400 participants were informed on the process and results of this first year of field implementation.

172 community organizations are confirmed as REP partners and will be transformed into CESPs through capacity building and supply of energy equipment.  At the present stage, REP will provide PV systems to around 250 schools, 200 health institutions, 200 community centers, 54 PV systems for milling 30 water pumping PV systems will be disseminated. These PV systems are robust, substantial in power, tailored to each institution and subscribe to international quality standards. The number of beneficiaries has risen from the initially planned 500,000 to 1,500,000 people.

In addition, REP is supporting solar thermal applications for income generation. To this effect, REP received and processed 123 applications for solar thermal systems: A total of  38 projects: 24 solar dryer and 14 water heater have been found feasible and will receive the REP support.