Despite notable progress in improving access to electricity across Nepal, there are still many pockets of settlements around the country whereby marginalized indigenous and rural communities are living with little to no access to electricity and thus left in dark. A representative situation is that of indigenous and highly marginlized Chepangs and other rural communities in Makwanpur district of central Nepal, whereby hundreds of families do not have access to any or adequate electricity yet. These families still depend on kerosene or mini solar panels for electricity or burn pine needles for light. While national electricity grid is slowly expanding in the rural areas, the poor financial situation of most villagers means they might not be able to afford the electricity charges even if their houses are connected to the grid.
Thus, the CbREP initiative is envisaged to enable indigenous and marginalized communities in Nepal to identity potential local sources of renewable energy and assist in setting up and operationalizing community-based renewable energy projects for their self-determined development. Besides, targeted assistance is also provided for socio-economic empowerment of women and youth in the area under the initiative.
Completed projects
15-kW Sankhar Khola Micro Hydropower Project, Dhirang, Raksirang, Makwanpur (CbREP Phase 3)
Improved Cooking Stoves at Chyaurang, Raksirang, Makwanpur (CbREP Phase 3)
4-kW Sisneri Peltric Set Pico Hydropower Project, Chyaurang, Raksirang, Makwanpur (CbREP Phase 3)
6 kW Saleni Taar Pico Hydropower Project, Raksirang, Makwanpur (CbREP Phase 2)
4kW pico-hydropower plant in Parsibang, Raksirang, Makwanpur (CbREP pilot)