Minister Basnet to present Bill related to renewable energy in parliament

Minister for Energy, Hydro Resources, and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, has assured that the much-anticipated ‘Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Bill’ will be presented in the federal parliament within the next month. The move is aimed at addressing the evolving needs and circumstances in the field of alternative and renewable energies.

Speaking at an event organized on the 27th anniversary of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre and the International Day of Clean Energy, Minister Basnet highlighted that 98% of households across the country currently have access to electricity. He further emphasized that efforts were underway to achieve 100% electrification within the next year and a half.

The minister underscored the government’s commitment to encouraging increased domestic consumption of electricity for broader purposes. He expressed the government’s high priority on carbon trade, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

Minister Basnet referenced the recently concluded COP-28 in the United Arab Emirates, where the target was set to double the use and production of renewable energy by the end of 2030. He reassured that the government has been actively addressing the genuine demands of the private sector.

In his address, Basnet acknowledged the role of the private sector in the renewable energy sector, highlighting the government’s facilitation through policies, procedures, laws, and acts for the production and promotion of renewable energy. He urged the private sector to articulate clear action plans and emphasized the need to match demands with tangible actions.

During the event, Member of the National Planning Commission, Prabhu Budhathoki, asserted that the government had implemented necessary legal and structural arrangements, fostering the overall development of the energy sector.

Executive Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, Nawaraj Dhakal, and other participants shared their perspectives on various dimensions of alternative and renewable energy during the event. Additionally, the occasion saw the honoring of various organizations and individuals who have contributed significantly to the renewable energy sector for over two decades.