Webinar on Prospects of Mini-grid in Nepal

Renewable Energy Confederation of Nepal (RECON) on Sunday, May 31, 2020 organised a Webinar on Prospects of Mini-grid in Nepal on Sunday May 31, 2020. On the occasion, Sr. RE experts Mr. Devendra Adhikari and Mr. Krishna Prasad Devkota elaborated the current status of Mini-grid of Mini and Micro Hydropower plants and Solar PV Systems adding the views on utilizing Mini-gird systems for the wider benefits to the people who reside in the remote and difficult terrains. Technical, managerial and financial aspects including investment modalities and government support as subsidy were also brought into focus.

Former Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission and Former ED of AEPC Prof. Dr. Govind Raj Pokharel, Former ED of AEPC Dr. Narayan Chaulagain, Member of Electricity Regulation Commission and Former ED of AEPC Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital, Incumbent ED of AEPC Mr. Madhusudhan Adhiikari, Joint Secretary MoEWRI Mr. Madhu Pasad Bhetuwal also elaborated the principles and practices for the best of utilizing Mini-grid in Nepal. Government policy and plans, financial arrangements, capacity building, authority delegations to different levels of governments and administration were discussed. Local level governments should get enough capacity to manage the Mini-grid systems, experts opined. Important lead role of AEPC was also highlighted to implement Mini-grid with working the private sector and the entrepreneurs.

Prof. Dr. Ramesh Kumar Maskey, Mr. Dilli Ghimire, Mr. Basanta Raj Raut, Ms. Pooja Sharma, Mr. Sanjay Sharma and others spoke on various aspects concerned to the technical, managerial and financial aspects of Mini-grid.  The online event was facilitated by RE expert Mr. Vishwa Bhushan Amatya.

Chairperson of RECON Mr. Guna Raj Dhakal presided over the webinar. In his remarks, he said that the expertise and reputation gained in the electricity generation in small amounts for Nepal's far flung settlements should be promoted and developed. The communities should be accesses to quality electricity for their needs. Women, disabled people, poor and under privileged communities should be well addressed. RECON will offer its services to coordinate the stakeholders and concern parties.

Renewable Energy Confederation of Nepal (RECON) is a common forum of associations of private sector involved in supply and delivery of alternative energy systems and services and NGOs involved in promotion of alternative energy in Nepal. It works as an umbrella organization of associations of private sector who are committed to lobby and advocacy and are highly dedicated in enabling environment to safe guard the rights and wellbeing of professionals and practitioners involved in renewable energy value chain.

Eight institutions, such as, Nepal Biogas Promotion Association (NBPA), Nepal Micro Hydropower Development Association (NMHDA), Rural Technology Promotion Association Nepal (RuTPAN), Solar Electric Manufacturers Association Nepal (SEMAN), Solar Thermal Association Nepal (STAN), Water and Energy Consultants Association Nepal (WECAN), Biogas Sector Partnership Nepal (BSP-Nepal) and Resource Management and Rural Empowerment Centre (REMREC) had joined the confederation. The confederation plans for wider partnerships in the sector to extend more and help all stakeholders to well grow, so as more such institutions are expected to join RECON. Biomass Energy Entrepreneurs Associations Nepal (BEEAN) and Group of wind energy experts and entrepreneurs are also with RECON. Likewise, a large number of academia, government, non-government and private sector based experts, professionals, practitioners and entrepreneurs are supporting RECON activities.    

Since 2017, RECON is has been working with Green and Inclusive Energy Nepal Programme which is also known as GIE Nepal Project as one of the consortium partners. The partnership is continued for the 2020 as well. Lobby and advocacy activities to influence politician, policymakers and planners in formulating favourable and practicable policies so as women, underprivileged communities, disable and poor people to get easier access to renewable energy systems so as their socio-economic status to be upgraded is one of the focus agenda of RECON. So as clean cooking solution for healthy household, drudgery reduction, employment opportunities are main aspects taken into focus.

RECON has been putting efforts in forging synergy with the institutions engaged in studies, research, development, implement, capacity building and finance for growth of RETs in the country. As such, with view to extend and exchange cooperation, the confederation had signed MoUs with Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN), National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal (NARMIN), Federation of Nepalese Cottage and Small Industries Nepal (FNCSI) and Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC). Likewise, an MoU with Xihua University (Chendu, People's Republic of China) also has been signed for wider cooperation in study, research and knowledge exchange between Nepalese and Chinese academia and experts for promotion of RETs.

The confederation recently had conducted webinars in (1) RE for Agriculture, (2) Small and Micro Hydropower : Challenge and Opportunities, (3) Use of Bio-char to revitalise soil quality for agriculture and (4) Youth and Self-Employment and Role of Renewable Energy.

Title	Attachment
Brief report on Webinar on Mini - grid	Download
Presentation on prospectus of Mini - Grid	Download
prospectus of Mini - Grid	Download
Comparision of subsidy MHP Vs SMG (MSA)	Download