Kathmandu: The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) has launched several initiatives to restore electricity services in areas affected by the Bhotekoshi flood, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts. Following extensive damage to energy and physical infrastructure, the Centre has begun providing emergency electricity and energy supplies through alternative energy systems in coordination with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
According to AEPC, procurement is underway for 500 sets of 20-watt-peak household solar home systems, 50 sets of 2-kilowatt-peak institutional solar power systems, and 2,000 improved iron cookstoves for flood-affected families. All 500 household solar systems purchased have been handed over to the joint relief and rescue team comprising the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, NDRRMA, and the Nepali Army.
To ensure the continuity of essential electricity services, AEPC has also provided three sets of 2-kilowatt-peak institutional solar systems to Uttargaya Rural Municipality in Rasuwa. The Centre said these systems can be used to provide immediate power at schools, health posts, birthing centers, municipal and ward offices, and holding centers.
Under AEPC’s coordination, a 3.36-kilowatt-peak institutional solar power system provided by Suryodaya Urja Pvt. Ltd. has been installed and brought into operation at Trishuli Hospital in Nuwakot. The system has supported treatment services for flood-affected patients and helped maintain essential hospital operations.
Similarly, AEPC has dispatched 10 institutional solar power systems to flood-hit areas—seven purchased by the Centre and three received through corporate social responsibility (CSR) support from various organizations. Of these, nine systems have been sent for distribution in wards 1, 2, and 3 of Gosainkunda Rural Municipality; wards 1 and 2 of Aamachhodingmo Rural Municipality in Rasuwa; wards 10 and 11 of Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot; and Belkotgadhi Municipality-8. One system has been sent to the office of the Rural Municipal Executive in Baireni, Galchhi Rural Municipality-6 of Dhading.
The Centre has also sent 500 sets of 20-watt-peak solar home systems to affected areas in Rasuwa and Nuwakot. In addition, 105 solar systems of the same capacity donated by the Solar Electric Manufacturers Association Nepal (SEMAN) have been delivered to Bidur, Nuwakot.
For flood-affected families, AEPC has procured 2,000 improved portable iron cookstoves. Demand collection is also underway from local governments in affected districts for the distribution of 10 institutional iron cookstoves to be provided by Husk Power Pvt. Ltd. Meanwhile, Himalayan Cook Stove has proposed to supply 50 portable cookstoves.
The Solar Power Producers’ Association Nepal (SOPPAN) has also proposed providing household solar power systems to flood-affected families, and discussions on the proposal are ongoing, according to AEPC.
As part of the second phase of support, the Centre has initiated the procurement process for an additional 40 institutional solar power systems. Decisions are currently being made regarding the locations where 20 of these systems will be installed.
AEPC is also participating in the preparation of a Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction Needs Assessment (RDNA) for energy infrastructure damaged by the flood. The Centre’s Deputy Executive Director is representing AEPC in the ministry-led committee, and coordination is ongoing with the ministry to compile preliminary data on renewable energy projects and technologies constructed and installed with AEPC support.
Meanwhile, AEPC has deployed Technical Officer Saroj Bahadur Karki to Bidur, Nuwakot, to coordinate relief distribution on the ground. A team led by the Centre’s Executive Director has also been involved in field-level coordination of relief and rescue efforts in the affected areas.
The Centre has submitted a proposal titled “Emergency Solar Lighting and Communication Relief Initiative for Flood-Affected Communities” to the ministry. Coordination with various development partners is underway through the ministry to mobilize support under the proposal.
In addition, a meeting chaired by the Executive Director of AEPC decided that the Solar Electric Manufacturers Association Nepal will coordinate with all organizations working in the solar energy sector to provide the Centre with comprehensive data on solar technologies and technical manpower available in Nepal.
urjasanchar
