KATHMANDU: Speakers at the ongoing Sagarmatha Sambaad have called for greater production and utilization of clean energy to ensure sustainable electricity generation and enhance energy exports.
Addressing a session titled “Powering the Future: Harnessing Clean Energy”, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Hitendra Dev Shakya warned that climate change could reduce water availability, directly affecting hydropower output.
He acknowledged the seasonal dependence on electricity imports from India during winter due to dwindling water sources.
“People demand electricity, but often oppose the installation of transmission lines near their homes,” Shakya said, pointing to a major challenge in power infrastructure development.
He stressed that Nepal’s transmission network remains fragile, citing recent power outages in Kathmandu caused by line disruptions. To address this, he advocated for increased private sector involvement and the establishment of a regulatory mechanism to oversee it, noting NEA’s limited financial capacity.
Kathmandu University Vice-Chancellor Dr Achyut Wagle echoed the need to engage both government and private investors to scale up clean energy.
“We must explore new avenues for investment. Relying solely on public funds will not suffice,” he said, urging the implementation of international investment pledges in the green energy sector.
Dr Aditi Mukherji, Director at the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Impact Action Platform, Kenya, highlighted Nepal’s progress in inclusive hydropower practices.
“Nepal is a positive example in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. Local communities benefit directly through royalties and ownership in hydropower projects—an effective model for equitable energy transition,” she said.
Francesco La Camera, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), proposed the creation of a public fund to support renewable energy expansion. He suggested that a portion of income from solar energy sales be allocated to help disadvantaged communities, especially those excluded from urban grid systems.
Session moderator Shobhakar Dhakal, Professor at the Asian Institute of Technology, underlined the global momentum behind clean energy. He emphasized the dual objective of reducing fossil fuel dependence and addressing climate change while striving to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
The three-day Sagarmatha Sambaad, which has drawn over 175 foreign delegates along with an equal number of Nepali participants, aims to forge a collective response to the global climate crisis.
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