Renewable energy major source of energy: Minister Joshi

Kathmandu / Dec 18: Minister for Population and Environment Jaydev Joshi has said the development and use of renewable energy has contributed to the sustainable development of environment, energy security and creation of employment opportunities at local level with reducing the carbon emission.

Inaugurating a programme organised to share information about the implementation of the project “Leveraging Pro-Poor Public Private Partnership (5ps) for rural development-widening access to energy services for rural poor in Asia and the Pacific”, Minister Joshi said the government had come up with a new grants policy to encourage the private sector to invest in the renewable energy.

The program was jointly organized by Alternative Energy Centre in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific ( ESCAP).

Also speaking on the occasion, National Planning Commission’s Member Dr Prabhu Budhathoki opined that the renewable energy was not just an alternative energy. He went on to say that clean energy was the base for green economy and the State should pay attention to its promotion for quality life of the people.

Secretary at the Ministry of Energy Dr Bishwanath Oli said the government has laid emphasis on the promotion of the renewable energy to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and meet the national target of ensuring people’s access to clean energy .

Executive Director at the Alternative Energy Promotion Center, Ram Prasas Dhital, said the renewable energy grant policy was introduced with a view to ensuring people’s access to reliable, assessable and durable energy.

Economic Affairs Officer at ESCAP Energy Division, Mr Kohji Iwakami, said the energy security was achievable with the inclusion of the 5ps project in the national policy. RSS