EnergizeNepal Program (ENEP) was established in 2016 to accelerate the development of Nepalese hydropower and other renewable energy systems, develop new and innovative technologies to reduce cost, increase efficiency contextual to Nepalese conditions, enhance human resource development to carry out research as well as effectively apply research results to solve challenges of hydropower and other renewable energy development in Nepal and the region. ENEP supports research-based industrial development in Nepal. It provides financial support to collaborative R&D projects related to Renewable Energy Technology (RET), planned and implemented by R&D institutions in Nepal in cooperation with local and foreign institutions and industries.

The Project is funded by The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Through the Royal Norwegian Embasy (RNE) and is managed by Kathmandu University (KU), Nepal, In Partnership with Hydrolab Nepal, NTNU, Norway and SINTEF, Norway.

The ENEP Extension and Upscaling was signed on October 26, 2021 to address the extended area of work and continuity of the ongoing effectiveness of the components and the addition of new components based on development inside KU and national initiatives in the last five years. Further, the Upscaling Program is overall in line with both Norwegian development policy and Nepal’s renewable energy challenges. This will further strengthen the collaboration between Nepalese and Norwegian organizations for developing scientific and technical capacity in Nepal.

Objectives

• To improve the capacity of research and education required for the development of the renewable energy sector in Nepal and the region.
• To promote and support the development of new and innovative technologies through research.
• To support the development of physical facilities and human competencies to carry out the research with the aim of commercialization.

Strategies

• Develop competence in terms of new technologies and techniques by promoting, initiating, and conducting research and development Program for innovation, advanced technology, and enhancing knowledge for expanding the technical horizon of the Nepalese hydropower and renewable energy sector.
• Support to research products and commercialize innovation for the sustainability of institute and industry.
• Collaboration and coordination with national and international stakeholders.
• Develop high skilled manpower to implement activities and support institutions related to this sector through high-level academic Program and target-oriented professional training.
• Develop and support equipped laboratory and support academic research.
• Support successful development of entrepreneurial start-up companies that market the innovative renewable energy related products and services resulting from the R&D activities supported by the component.

Exit Strategy

• Carrying out high quality research in close collaboration with the private sector will bring in private sector funds into research. The final objective will be to carry out research and development primarily through private and local public sector funding.
• Enhancing the capacities of institutions for research and testing in the respective fields will increasingly attract clientele from larger and highly creditable players in the renewable energy sector.