Stakeholders have emphasized the need to increase clean energy production to ensure a sustainable power supply.
During a session titled "Powering the Future: Harnessing Clean Energy" , held as part of the ongoing Sagarmatha Sambaad, speakers argued that expanding the use of clean energy is essential not only for meeting domestic electricity demand but also for promoting energy exports.
Hitendra Dev Shakya, Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), said that climate change could lead to the drying up of water sources, negatively impacting hydropower generation. "We have been importing electricity from India to meet winter demand because water levels drop significantly during the dry season," Shakya explained. He also pointed out that local opposition to transmission line construction poses another major challenge.
He highlighted the contradiction, noting, “People want electricity, but they don’t want transmission lines near their homes. The question is: how do we move forward under such conditions?” He further stressed that reliable energy is vital for industrial electrification.
According to Shakya, Nepal’s transmission infrastructure remains weak. He referred to frequent power outages in Kathmandu the previous day, caused by repeated line failures. "If one link fails, the entire system shuts down," he said.
Shakya emphasized the need for greater private sector participation in the transmission sector and called for a proper regulatory framework to facilitate that involvement. "NEA lacks adequate financial resources, so attracting private investment is crucial," he added.
Similarly, Dr. Achyut Wagle, Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University, underscored the importance of both government and private sector engagement in promoting green energy. “We aim to meet minimum energy needs, but how do we manage the necessary investment? Relying solely on public funds won’t suffice,” he said, emphasizing the importance of implementing international investment pledges for green energy development.
Dr. Aditi Mukherji, Director at the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Impact Action Platform in Kenya, highlighted the need for capacity building, technology transfer, and community-centric approaches in energy transitions.
“Nepal is a leading example in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region for hydropower development. Royalties from hydropower projects are shared with local communities, and rural populations have direct ownership in these projects. These are exemplary practices for ensuring inclusive energy transitions,” she noted.
Francesco La Camera, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), called for the creation of a public fund to support renewable energy initiatives like solar power. “For instance, a portion of the revenue generated from solar energy sales should be allocated to a public fund that can support disadvantaged or vulnerable communities. These groups often miss out on the early benefits of urban-based grid systems,” he suggested.
Session moderator Shobhakar Dhakal, a professor at the Asian Institute of Technology, explained that promoting clean energy means accelerating the global transition to renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass.
He added that this effort also involves reducing reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating climate change risks, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
More than 175 international delegates and an equal number of Nepali dignitaries are participating in the three-day dialogue, aiming to build a unified global response to the climate crisis. -- RSS
