Energy Minister urges prioritizing clean energy

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Pampha Bhusal has said the government has adopted the policy of replacing the gas cooking stoves with electric cooktops for prioritizing the use of clean energy.

Addressing the 21st annual general meeting of Solar Electric Manufacturers Association Nepal (SEMAN) in Dhulikhel today, she said setting up big industries consuming electricity would be encouraged. The Minister said the government has forwarded the policy of promoting electric vehicles to use electric appliances in all sectors.

The Energy Minister argued that using solar energy is more cost-effective and time-effective. "The concept of 'one sun, one world, one grid' has been developed of late. This will further facilitate the use of solar power," she said, adding that although there are adequate sources of clean water in Nepal, this water has to be used for multiple purposes and there were challenges in managing it, so in this context suggested making the solar energy practical.

Minister Bhusal said the world is suffering from adverse impacts due to climate change as a result of the use of traditional energy and pointed out the need of replacing it with renewable energy.

She argued that it was necessary to promote renewable energy even to fulfill the commitment made by Nepal in the UN Climate Conference COP26. Stating that the government has adopted the policy of a hybrid energy system in view of energy security, she said the goal is to incorporate 10 percent alternative energy in this system.

According to the Energy Minister, the alternative energy sources are mainly solar energy and wind energy. The current installed capacity in the energy system is around 2,100 megawatts of electricity and as per the '10 percent alternative energy policy', around 200 megawatts of solar electricity can be installed.

Presently, solar energy projects have signed the power purchase agreement for 110 megawatts, and around 40 megawatts of solar power is currently in operation.

"We will hold discussions with neighboring countries regarding the energy trading. There is a plan to hold a consultation on distribution of electricity free of cost for irrigation purposes in Nepal itself," Minister Bhusal said.

Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) executive director Dr Madhusudan Adhikari said that it is necessary to initiate discussions regarding the government to bring a policy for harnessing the 92 percent energy remaining to be utilized in Nepal.

SEMAN president Indra Khanal said solar energy has been extended to 3,000 institutions including schools and health posts, and to 961 thousand families in collaboration with the government and the private sectors.