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ABOUT Nepal Energy Foundation
NEF was established with the aim of providing efforts for making the energy sector of Nepal sustainable and has been successful in starting some initiatives as envisioned. NEF have been able to start few major initiatives that are of great importance to entire energy sector, to the society, and the nation.
With the view that energy projects bring knowledge and opt for one-time implementation or implementation during the project period which would make sustainability uncertain, NEF has been advocating that sustainability can only be assured when issue holder work for themselves by themselves. With this vision, facilitation for forming two networks have been done: National Mini/Micro Hydro Power Users Society Nepal (NAMHUS), and Women Network for Energy and Environment (WoNEE). As a result of NEF’s continuous support and effort in capacity development, both of the networks have been able to be established as one of the influencing institutions in the renewable energy sector of Nepal who speak the voices of grassroot people in energy. And, NEF considers that a lot is yet to be done to make both of the networks to become influential in policy level.
WoNEE, a NEF promoted women’s network has been able to expand in more than 85 R/Municipalities and has been putting its efforts for formulation of gender friendly energy policy, capacity building of women for increasing their involvement in energy, and creating more economic opportunities to women. Similarly, NAMHUS has been able to expand its network to 112 members, and 21 District chapters.
For supporting in sustainability of mini/micro hydro projects, capacity building and institutional strengthening are being done. More specifically, NEF supported Khimti Rural Electric Cooperative (KREC) for Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of Jhankre Mini-Hydro (635 kW) and Haluwakhola Mini-Hydro (400kW) with NEA, agreement has already been done, and NEF is supporting more additional projects and facilitating for PPA with NEA. Similarly, NEF is also putting its effort in supporting for smart management of micro hydro projects by remote monitoring and implementation of socio-economic development programs.
To provide its inputs in sustainability of rural electrification in Nepal, NEF has provided its’ input through research and advocacy. A comprehensive study of 3 years covering technical, operational, and policy aspects of Community Rural Electric Entities (CREEs) was conducted. As a result of this comprehensive study, NEF has provided few important recommendations in technical, operational, financial, and policy aspects which are accepted as the very useful ones by the sector. And, piloting of digital billing and revenue collection was done, which has been identified as an important step to increase operational efficiency of CREEs. Few additional studies are also being conducted for supporting in sustainability of rural electrification in Nepal.
In addition to this, NEF is also active in clean cooking sector. Most importantly, NEF has supported the Government of Nepal in drafting the National Standards for electric cooktops. And, is active in promotion of electric cooking through various means and is advocating for preparation of conducive environment and rapid uptake of electric cooktops in Nepal.
Being an organization to speak the voices of people, NEF is active in conducting different advocacy related activities which are in favor of all Nepalese citizens including marginalized and vulnerable people.
Not only in the in-country activities, NEF is also working in the Cross Border Energy Trade. Nepal Energy Foundation is working as the Nepal Think Tank for Cross Border Energy Trade and is conducting different activities as Nepal Think Tank which includes researches, capacity development activities, and outreach activities.
Since its establishment, NEF has tried its best to support the energy sector of Nepal as per its capacity. Working with a range of people from grassroot level women, marginalized people, communities, academicians, experts, and policy makers, NEF has tried to work as per the vision and mission of organization and finds itself on the way towards meeting its mission.