Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Ganeshman Charnath Municipality in northeastern Dhanusha has become the first local government in the Madhesh Province to draft a renewable energy policy.
Under Mayor Jitnarayan Yadav’s leadership, the municipality has formulated the Renewable Energy Policy 2025 to promote production, utilization and feasibility studies while attracting investors.
The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) and Sustainable Prosperity Initiative (SPI) Nepal provided free consultancy services the municipality to draft the policy. These organizations assisted in drafting the policy, conducting feasibility studies and identifying potential investors.
At a seminar organized by the municipality recently, SPI Nepal’s Senior Strategic Advisor and Policy Expert, Purushottam Ghimire, made a presentation on the policy. Speaking at the program, Mohan Das Manandhar, an energy expert, said a supporting legal framework should be made to make the policy effective.
Deputy Mayor Tulasa Pandey, ward chairpersons, and other representatives, as well as CCA’s Nepal representative Karuna Bajracharya, Mohan Das Manandhar, Purushottam Ghimire, and SPI Nepal Managing Director Sarita Karki were present at the seminar.
Meanwhile, electricity stoves are being provided at a concessional rate to people of the municipality as part of a joint project with CCA, SPI Nepal and Janaki Women’s Awareness Society. So far, 121 stoves have been provided. The three organizations have plans to distribute 2,500 stoves within a year. The municipality is providing accessories for the stoves free of cost.
Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Yadav said the shift from LPG to electric stoves will reduce imports and prioritize electricity produced locally.
