Grant assistance of Rs.3.13 billion from Denmark to Nepal

KATHMANDU, DEC 8: 

The Government of Denmark has agreed to provide a grant assistance of Rs. 3.13 billion for the implementation of National Rural and Renewable Energy Programme (NRREP).

Secretary at the Finance Ministry, Shantaraj Subedi, and Ambassador of Denmark to Nepal, Morten Jespersen, signed the agreement at a programme organised at the Ministry of Finance on Friday.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment is the executing agency and Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) is the implementation agency of the programme, which will run for the next five years.

On the occasion, Ambassador Jespersen expressed the confidence that renewable energy will improve living standards of rural people by developing them economically and socially in rural communities.

The assistance will be fruitful for increasing employment and productivity, reducing dependency on traditional energy and maintaining sustainable development, said Jespersen.

Talking about the contribution made on various sectors including education, peace process, human rights, energy, local development, and other sectors by Denmark after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1967, Subedi expressed sincere appreciation to the Government of Denmark for this assistance and expected continued support to the socio-economic development of Nepal.

Meanwhile, talking to RSS, Executive Director of the AEPC, Prof. Govinda Raj Pokharel, said a total of 25,000 MW electricity will be generated and other benefits will be received by operating micro and small hydropower projects from the received grant.

This year, the Government of Norway has already agreed to provide a grant assistance of Rs. 2.34 billion for the effective implementation of the programme.

Source: THT