A Memoranda of Understanding was signed today between the Alternative Energy Promotion Center and Kathmandu University with an objective to complement each other in activities relating to research and development and implementation of renewable energy technologies. AEPC is a semi autonomous government institution mandated for the promotion and development of renewable (rural/alternative) energy technologies in Nepal. As part of promotional activities, AEPC encourages partnership with research institutions for maintaining energy systems at affordable level, meeting basic quality standards, and maximizing use of energy by providing appropriate technological solutions to the target groups. Similarly, KU established in 1991 started its engineering education programs from 1994. The education system especially focuses on projects and applied research works where undergraduate students from the very first semester undergo practical training and produce creative engineering models. AEPC has been promoting micro hydro, solar, biomass, improved water mill, biogas technologies while KU has been involved with R&D of these technologies since a long time. Hence, the signing of this MoU has opened ways for both parties to work together for expanding R&D activities so that problems relating to rural energy technologies and the energy needs of the rural population could be addressed by providing appropriate technological solutions.
To start with, the Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU and the Biomass Energy Component/ AEPC would work on identifying and standardizing metal stoves so that appropriate model would be disseminated in the high hill region of Nepal according to Rural Energy Policy 2006. In the future, the parties have agreed to work collaboratively for the following:
· To identify appropriate renewable and alternative energy solutions for the rural population of Nepal and assist in achieving Government of Nepal (GoN) targets on rural/renewable energy by optimum utilization of natural resources.
· To identify each other’s comparative advantages and complementarities of their respective programmes and activities to produce synergistic impacts especially in developing appropriate technologies and finally field level implementation.
· To collaborate together regarding the research and development of renewable energy systems – biomass energy technologies, micro-hydro, solar energy, wind energy, biogas technologies, improved water mill and other rural energy projects, in common working areas targeted for poverty reduction and improvement in health and environment.
· The Parties may develop together a common agreed mechanism for their resource mobilization for research and development in renewable energy technologies to enhance access of rural energy technologies.
The MoU has been signed for a period of five (5) years from the date of signing. Executive Director Dr. Govind Raj Pokharel signed the MoU on behalf of AEPC while Registrar Dr. Bhadra Man Tuladhar signed the MoU on behalf of KU.
