Environment Protection Center Nepal

Organization

Mission

Increase the adoption of Renewable Energy technologies in Nepal through
• Promotional activities to create demand for these technologies and practices
• Quality assured technology supply

Organizational Expertise

Adoption / Behavior Change, Capacity Building, Climate/Environment, Gender / Womens Empowerment, Heating, Institutional Cooking, Livelihoods, Marketing, Monitoring and Evaluation, Policy Development, Research, Technology and Fuel R&D

Technologies & Fuels

Biogas, Biomass (Ag. Residue, Processed Biomass, etc.), Charcoal, Electricity, Pellets / Briquettes, Solar, Wood

Clean Cooking Activities

Compared to other regions of Nepal, the Terai (our region) is relatively accessible. However, the promotion of RETs in the Terai has generally lagged beyond the rest of the country, and most of those activities have been concentrated around the easily accessible East-West Highway along the Terai’s Northern boundary. This is especially true in the Southern parts of these districts, furthest away from the East-West Highway. Firewood is the main energy sources for cooking in these districts, followed closely by cow dung (guitha). Widespread forest depletion has led to severe damage of watersheds through erosion and water quality degradation. The conversion of forests into fuel wood has limited the forest’s capacity as a carbon sink while also contributing to a major source of carbon emissions through low efficiency wood burning cook stoves. Because of the decline in the availability of fuel-wood and its increasing cost, many rural households have been turning to the use of the agricultural residue and animal dung as a source of cooking fuel. This has consequences for agricultural productivity as these nutrients are not returned to the soil and must be replaced by costly and environmentally harmful imported chemical fertilizers. Like all areas of Nepal, these poorly ventilated stoves are fueling an epidemic of respiratory disease, particularly among women and children.

Partnership

Data from the recently released by National Population and Housing Census show that the electrical power grid has not infiltrated the 5 Central Terai districts to the same extent as the national average. With the very low penetration of solar and the relatively low grid coverage, one could interpret a high potential for solar home systems from the data. However, there are expectations that due to the relative ease of grid expansion in the Terai, it will come soon. For many, this makes investment in solar technology ales economically attractive.
An analysis of the fuels used for cooking in the our region, Central Terai (CT) paint a far clearer need for appropriate RETs. While wood makes up a slightly smaller part of the cooking fuel used, the use of cow dung (Guita) and other solid agricultural waste fuels make the relative percentage of solid fuel far greater in the in these districts.
The main priority need for low cost, environmentally sound and health promoting RETs points to improved biomass utilisation technologies, with solar systems having a secondary emphasis .we have a extensive knowledge of the economic status, social and cultural predispositions, and the potentials that the various RET might have in the Central Terai. It also has experience in RET promotion and supply specifically in that Districts. Based upon this knowledge and experience, EPC Nepal proposes the 5 year expected results.
As noted, biomass technologies will lead our intervention strategies. ICS targets in the 5 CT districts make up 26% of the expected national goal result for the entire country.
We find ways to decentralise the makers or distributors of RET products so they are closer and more involved with the communities they serve.
Capacity building of supply chain members: Training in business and technical skills for Promoters/Installers, District based service providers, CBOs and retailers to improve quality, reduce costs, expand the product offerings
Technology development and innovation: The introduction and/or development of low-cost RETs designs, components, or materials are needed to increase the range of attractive and affordable RETs options on the market.
Financial services: Lack of capital is a significant constraint for all supply chain actors. Improved linkages with MFIs or other financing schemes would improve supply chain functioning.
Community participation in the supply chain: In some technologies such as ISC and SHS we involve participating.

Regions Operating In

South Asia

Country Based In

Nepal

Address

Chandrapur-1, Rautahat, Nepal
Kuleshwor-14, Kathmandu, Nepal
Rautahat, Narayani 0091

Primary Point of Contact

Name: Mr. Sandeep Kumar Kanth

Title: Director

Email: epcnepal2071@gmail.com

Phone: 9851120128

Secondary Point of Contact

Name: Mrs. Sapana Karn

Title: Board of Director