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Solar Electrification Of A Remote Village And Promoting Energy Planning Based On Reliable Data Collection In Nepal

  • Posted on December 31, 2020

Background

Energy sector is the major pillars of development for Nepal. There are areas that are still dwelling in absence of electricity. In such areas, off-grid sources of electricity can improve access to electricity. This project has therefore aimed to improve access to electricity for a rural village that is deprived of electricity from the national grid. The project is funded by Siemenpuu Foundation and EKOenergy, Finland. Furthermore, the concept of this project emerged as there was additional demand for community rural electrification put forward by Khanikhola Rural Municipality. In this context, the project introduces a solar mini-grid for electrification of the village deprived of access to electricity.

 

Apart from the installation of a solar mini-grid, the project will support in advocacy of the importance of Municipal Energy Planning (MEP) in the Federal Context. The MEP tool is Geographic Information System (GIS) based tool which was developed by Renewable Energy for Rural Areas (RERA) program jointly implemented by GIZ-Nepal and Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC). This tool is yet to be piloted in Rural Municipalities of Nepal. The advocacy aspect of this project will emphasize building the capacity of the Local Government and energy professionals to develop robust energy plans and policies for their municipality. To facilitate evidence-based advocacy regarding the need for energy plans and policies to improve rural access to sustainable energy sources, a planning document along with a policy brief will be developed based on the results of MEP tool for the Local Government. Advocacy efforts will also aim at building the capacity of the relevant stakeholders on the concept and importance of net metering and Multi-Tier Framework (MTF) developed by the World Bank and its adaptation in rural Nepal context to measure the quality of electricity access.


Supported by: Siemenpuu Foundation and EKOenergy, Finland

 

Project Objectives

  • Installation of 10 kW solar Mini-grid at Saurya Bhangtarbesi village-3, Khanikhola Rural Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk district, Province 3, Nepal to improve electricity access in the village.
  • Capacity building of relevant stakeholder from Khanikhola Rural Municipality and energy sector stakeholders from the local, provincial and national level on application of Municipal Energy Planning (MEP) Tool.
  • Advocate on need and use MEP tool to develop energy plans and policies to relevant stakeholders representing local, provincial, and national level Government CBOs/CSOs and private sector.


Project Duration: July 2020 to November 2021

 

Project Area

Saurya Bhangtarbesi village-3, Khanikhola Rural Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk district, Bagmati Province, Nepal.


Major Project Activities

  • Detail Feasibility Survey and Tender Process for solar Mini-grid installation
  • Installation of Solar Mini-grid system
  • Sampling and data collection from all wards of the rural municipality to facilitate use of MEP tool
  • Municipal Energy Planning Tool application and capacity building of stakeholders and enumerators
  • Consultative workshop with energy sector stakeholders at all three levels of the Government 
  • School-level sensitization program for project beneficiary school at the municipal level
  • End line survey to monitor and evaluate existing project output and outcome

 

Expected Output

  • The beneficiary community and the respective rural municipality will have a Solar Mini-Grid of 10 kW capacity
  • Improved access to modern electricity source and service for 120 households
  • Establish or upgrade at least one micro-enterprise using electricity from solar Mini-Grid to realize the productive end-use of modern sources of energy
  • One local school will have access to electricity
  • 10-15 energy sector professional representing various private sectors and I/NGOs, CBOs from local, the provincial and national level will be trained to use Municipal Energy Planning (MEP) Tool.
  • 7 CSOs/CBOs at the local level, relevant department and an official representing Khanikhola Rural Municipality and its wards will benefit from the advocacy activities which includes topic such as Renewable Energy Technologies, Municipal Energy planning Tool, net metering and Multi-Tier Framework for measuring electricity access;
  • Manual on Municipal Energy Planning Tool will be published
  • Document a tangible energy plan and policy brief that will contribute to improving access to modern energy sources
  • Sensitization on renewable energy technologies to one school and local ward representatives on modern energy sources, renewable energy technologies, and the importance of energy planning for local development