Rural Energy Development Programme

Mission

REDP as a best practice programme has demonstrated impressive outcomes and sustainable approach for promotion of eco-friendly rural energy technologies (RETs) for preserving nature and enhancing rural livelihoods for poverty reduction and human development. So far, more than 200,000 rural people, both men and women have benefited from programmes supported RETs (146 micro hydro schemes including peltric sets generating 1805.2 kW electric power, 3,486 toilet attached biogas plants, 1,689 solar PV home systems and 7,959 improved cooking stoves). Noteworthy contributions of the REDP include: access to electricity, social capital building, economic growth through productive employment and income generation, enhanced natural resources, reduced labor, time, drudgery and indoor smoke inhalation, improved education and literacy rate, increased life expectancy, access to information, education and entertainment, capacity building and empowerment, and policy formulation and institutionalization. These RETs have been generating employment to more than 500 persons, replacing 16,942 tons of fuelwood annually, replacing 20,000 tons of carbon emission annually, saving US$ 260,000 by replacing kerosene and diesel annually, reducing 184,038 man-days of fuel collecting time (especially of women) annually. Ninety-six nurseries have been established and around 2.7 million saplings have been planted. Likewise, 12,111 toilets have been constructed. Capacity building of more than 4,600 persons has been done in relation to income generation. REDP's experiences have proven that the holistic development of RETs through capacity building of community people based on participation, transparency, consensus, decision making and inclusion are effective in achieving most of the Millennium Development Goals adopted universally by developing countries for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

Organization Type Non-Governmental Organization

Contact Information

Primary Contact
 Mr. Suraj Neupane
 Secondary Contact

Address REDP/UNDPPO Box 107
Bagmati
Kathmandu,

Nepal 		Website http://www.redp.org.np
Phone 977-1-5547609
Fax 977-1-5521547
Calling/Fax Instructions

Our Focus

Primary Initiatives, Target Populations, and Scope of Work:

REDP is working in more than 200 communities of 25 remote hilly districts in Nepal. REDP is the joint initiative of His Majesty's Government of Nepal, UNDP and the World Bank. REDP implements its programme through Rural Energy Development Sections (under the District Development Committee-DDCs) in the respective districts. Rural renewable energy technologies are promoted under a holistic approach. Likewise, the DDCs are also strengthened for rural energy planning, with institutional set-ups. Similarly, policy feedback and support for formulation of National Rural Energy Policy to government are other aspects of the programme in the national context. The programme has been recognized with various awards in the international arenas as well. Collaboration with different organizations is also done at the international levels.

Fuels/Technologies: Biogas
Biomass
Hydroelectric
Solar
 Sectors of Experience: Behavior Change
Education
Environment
Forestry
Gender
Health
Renewable Energy
Rural Development
Small Business
Water
Holistic development through renewable energy		 Countries of Operation: Nepal

Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas

Social/Cultural barriers to using traditional fuels and stoves:

More than 85% of the energy requirement in Nepal is met by traditional sources, 90% of which comes from fuelwood. More than 85% of the energy requirement is for domestic/household consumption. Supply of alternative energy sources is very low and most of the times they are not affordable to an average Nepalese household. Likewise, fuelwood can be collected in nearby forests free of cost. This has lead to unsustainable forest exploitation and at the same time degradation of health of the community people due to indoor air pollution.

Market development for improved cooking technologies:

REDP has been promoting improved cook stoves (ICS) in the programme areas since its inception in 1996. REDP does not provide any financial support to install the technology; however, capacity building programme of REDP helps produce ICS technicians at the local level, who engage themselves in the construction of these stoves in the rural households. There are other organizations also involved in the dissemination of the technology. Likewise, REDP facilitates the installation of toilets attached biogas in the households of programme communities. Subsidy for toilet construction is channeled through REDP and subsidy for biogas is channeled through the Biogas Sector Programme. There are more than 50 biogas installing companies authorized by the government.

Technology standardization for cooking, heating and ventilation:

The standardization of biogas has been done by the government. However, there is no standardization of improved cook stoves (ICS) so far depending on its use. Most of the users have negative comments on ICS as room heating cannot be done and that the timber used as construction material of the house will decay soon as it will not be exposed to smoke, which is a good disinfectant.

Indoor air pollution exposure and health monitoring:

Quantitative health monitoring in terms of indoor air pollution exposure is a difficult thing to do. However, qualitative data can be obtained. REDP has a wide range of community members in different geographical settings with different climatic conditions and cultures. This is a very interesting area that our organization would also like to monitor.

Relevant Publications or Studies

Environment Management Guidelines Annual Reports

Our Contribution to the Partnership

REDP can contribute to the partnership through: - experience sharing - providing expertise on community mobilization - partnership in research and dissemination initiative