Given the increasing demand for energy for heating and cooling, and the fact that local governments in Nepal are issuing hundreds of permits for the construction of new public and private buildings without considering the energy efficiency matrix, Nepal's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 is in jeopardy. Funded by the European Union, the Building Energy Efficiency in Nepal (BEEN) Project has commenced altering the mindset of policymakers in federal ministries, local government officials, and other stakeholders regarding the importance of incorporating energy efficiency as a new standard for building design and development
By Keshab Poudel Sep 25, 2023
Thanks to the policy of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation and the efforts of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Nepal has made impressive progress in generating, transmitting, and distributing hydropower throughout the country. Though frequent but brief power outages continue to be a concern for those considering a shift to electric transportation, household cooking, and industry, recent trends in increasing electricity consumption and decreasing imports of petroleum products demonstrate that Nepal is making progress in transitioning from dirty fossil fuels to clean hydropower. Despite ongoing economic and geopolitical crises, the energy transition is accelerating but it remains too sluggish to meet the NDC targets.
By Keshab Poudel Sep 08, 2023
As the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Nepal's largest public utility, KUL MAN GHISING starts his day early in the morning. With the responsibility of providing electricity to over 98% of the population and managing 15,000 employees, CEO Ghising must remain vigilant and works until late evening. Any power outages lasting even an hour in any part of Nepal put him under immense pressure. Even members of Parliament call his resignation over electricity-related concerns. Although his schedule is tight, MD Ghising met with KESHAB POUDEL at his office to discuss various issues related to Nepal's transition to sustainable energy. Here are some excerpts from conversation:
By Keshab Poudel Sep 07, 2023
DINESH KUMAR GHIMIRE, Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, has worked at the Ministry in various capacities for almost three decades. Secretary Ghimire also heads the Ministry of Energy as Nepal embarks on a clean and green energy transition in order to meet the country's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of zero emissions by 20245. As COP 28 UAE approaches, the discussion of clean energy challenges is taking precedence. Secretary Ghimire, a soft-spoken man with vast understanding of Nepal's energy difficulties, spoke to KESHAB POUDEL about a variety of topics. Excerpts:
By Keshab Poudel Sep 03, 2023
The Promotion of Youth Engagement in Local Governance Process (PROYEL), funded by the European Union and Helvetas Nepal and implemented by local NGOs, has effectively demonstrated how to engage youth in the local governance process. In collaboration with PROYEL, Helvetas Nepal has implemented a number of youth-focused programs in the areas of entrepreneurship, empowerment through technical training, safe migration and governance, GESI and climate change. Recently, Helvetas-Nepal met with members of the Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Madhesh Youth Sounding Board to discuss how youth are engaging with its programs and to get feedback on how to make them more youth-friendly and responsive to their needs.
By Keshab Poudel Aug 25, 2023
Kul Man Ghising, the managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), has accomplished a great deal during his two years in the position despite a lack of funding, the sluggish administrative structure of the NEA, and the lack of cooperation from various government stakeholders. Due to rising electricity demand and power generation, NEA must make significant investments in its transmission and distribution networks. In addition, interministerial collaboration and support from provincial, local, and public institutions are essential to the development of an NEA transmission and distribution system that can evacuate and continuously supply power to every household. MD Ghising is on a long march to get rid of as many humps and bumps as she can.
By Keshab Poudel Aug 11, 2023
Constituted by the European Union Delegation (EU Delegation), the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) in Nepal and Ethiopia have successfully demonstrated effective ways of involving and engaging the young population in the development process
By Keshab Poudel Aug 10, 2023
In a momentous joint program attended by Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Prakash Jwala, and Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka, the Nagdhunga Tunnel Project achieved a significant breakthrough. This marks a important milestone in fulfilling the long-awaited dream of Nepalese travelers to traverse through their first modern tunnel. The tunnel's construction has been made possible through generous financial assistance from the Japanese government under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program and the entire work will be completed and vehicles can be passed through the tunnel by September 2024
By Keshab Poudel Aug 08, 2023
Avoiding unnecessary pressure from business group, Nepal Rastra Bank governor Maha Prasad Adhikari finally has unveiled a New Monetary Policy. Although it provides certain relief to share market and real states, the policy has not compromised on financial stability and disciplne
By Keshab Poudel Aug 06, 2023
Amidst numerous ongoing construction projects across different regions in the country, such as the Kali Gandaki basin and Sunkoshi and Bhote Koshi basins, the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Kul Man Ghising, faces mounting pressure to ensure the timely completion of substations and transmission lines. These projects play a crucial role in strengthening the nation's power infrastructure and meeting the increasing demand for electricity.
By Keshab Poudel Aug 05, 2023
Chandra Prasad Dhakal, the President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), embarked on his tenure with a five-point agenda and his three point principle. Over the course of his first one hundred days in office, Dhakal successfully accomplished numerous significant initiatives on both national and international levels. Amidst Nepal's current economic crisis and the challenges faced by the industrial sector and business communities, Dhakal's leadership has been pivotal in driving positive change during his term as FNCCI's president. With his clear vision and mission, Dhakal successfully hits numbers issues keeping the pace for another four years
By Keshab Poudel Aug 03, 2023
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has become the driving force behind a remarkable shift in the country's energy landscape. With a steady and reliable supply of quality electricity, industries, automobiles, and individual households have experienced a surge in electricity usage, leading to a significant reduction in the import of diesel, gasoline, and Liquefied Petroleum Products (LPG). The appeal of electricity over expensive fossil fuels has made it the preferred choice for businesses, households, and vehicle users alike. While specific data on the micro-level impact is yet to be fully explored, the increased consumption of electricity has undeniably contributed to a noteworthy decline in petroleum product imports this year, translating into substantial savings in foreign cash for the nation.
By Keshab Poudel Jul 28, 2023
The Chameliya Hydropower Project, a 30 MW power plant, has brought about a remarkable transformation in the Sudurpachim Province since its inception just five years ago. With financial support from the Republic of Korea, this project has revolutionized the way of life in the region. It is essential to acknowledge the key individuals responsible for its success, including Janardan Sharma Prabhakar, the visionary Energy Minister, Anup Kumar Upadhyaya, the dedicated Secretary, and Managing Director Kul Man Ghising. Thanks to their efforts, the project, which had remained stagnant for several years, finally commenced operations in February 2018. Today, the Chameliya Hydropower Project acts as a catalyst for progress in the Sudur Paschim Province, significantly improving the overall quality of life. The people and political leaders are deeply grateful to the Republic of Korea for their substantial investment, which has brought about this transformative change.
By Keshab Poudel Jul 10, 2023
Former Foreign Secretary Madhu Raman Acharya addressed in-depth about Nepal's skills and strategy for defending and preserving its national interest in the current changing international order. Acharya, as the keynoter for the second edition of the Professor Yadu Nath Khanal Lecture Series, outlined prospects and challenges for Nepal
By Keshab Poudel Jul 01, 2023
The majority of Kul Man Ghising's weekends are spent inspecting construction sites and resolving disputes throughout the nation as the managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). In order to remove obstacles, including the clearing of the forest, MD Ghising spends his six days in the office completing official business and visiting various ministries and departments. In order to offer uninterrupted electricity, MD Ghising has been running from location to location to preserve the quality of the electricity. He is waging a lone struggle to improve Nepal power system
By Keshab Poudel Jun 30, 2023
The Local Initiative to Reduce the Impact of Climate Change (LIRIC) has shown how Nepal's development partners, local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), communities, and elected local governments can collaborate to build a climate-resilient community and reduce the effects of climate change. The LIRIC Project, funded by the European Union and Austrian Development Cooperation, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA Austria), and implemented by ADRA Nepal in collaboration and close coordination with Rupantaran, Community Development and Advocacy Forum (CDAFN) Bardibas, local communities, and locally elected governments, has built resilient communities by launching various programs and schemes such climate field schools, community based adaptation plans, payment for ecosystem services, school climate change education, third party financing, integrated water systems including pond conservation, seepage water harvesting system, water source conservation, and local community development. With capacity strengthening of Civil Society’s Organizations (CSOs) and developing their networks, the project has worked towards making the local governments and stakeholders accountable for their actions as well as supporting vulnerable communities towards mitigation and adaptation interventions. Because Nepal is particularly vulnerable to climate change, many of the LIRIC project's beneficial lessons can be repeated in other places to lessen the impact.
By Keshab Poudel Jun 29, 2023