Press Release

Advancing Nepal’s Clean Energy Future: SECF Achievements & Opportunities

19 December 2025 | Kathmandu: GIZ Nepal in collaboration with the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), under the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme – Green Recovery and Empowerment with Energy in Nepal (REEEP-GREEN) successfully organized a one-day event titled “Advancing Nepal’s Clean Energy Future: Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund (SECF) Achievements & Opportunities” on 19 December 2025 in Kathmandu.

The event brought together high-level representatives from the government institutions, diplomatic missions, development partners and other stakeholders to review the achievements of SECF and explore future pathways for accelerating Nepal’s clean energy transition through market-driven solutions. The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Dr. Narayan Prasad Adhikari, Deputy Executive Director, AEPC followed by the formal inauguration of the event by Mr. Chiranjeewee Chataut, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI). Mr. Jose Luis Vinuewsa Santamaria, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nepal and Mr. Benjamin Seidel, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Development Cooperation and Economics at the German Embassy highlighted the longstanding partnership of the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany with the Nepal government in energy sector underscoring the significant progress and achievements realized over the years.

Dr. Frank Fecher, Programme Manager of REEEP-GREEN, presented the key achievements of REEEP-GREEN and SECF over the past three years. He emphasized that, through targeted support under REEEP-GREEN, SECF has successfully leveraged private-sector investment at a ratio of 1:3.74, catalyzing a total investment of EUR 2.13 million in distributed renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects across Nepal.

During the event, key partners reaffirmed their commitment to Nepal’s clean energy agenda and highlighted SECF as a flagship viability gap funding mechanism under AEPC, technically and financially supported from various partner initiatives, including REEEP-GREEN. Mr. Sam Fell, Economic Development Team Leader, British Embassy Kathmandu described SECF as transformational, commending AEPC’s technical expertise in effectively engaging the private sector in energy promotion. Mr. Nawaraj Dhakal, Executive Director of AEPC, acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the European Union, the German Government, and GIZ Nepal, underscoring the vital role of international cooperation in expanding access to modern energy services nationwide. Mr. Chiranjeewee Chataut, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI), welcomed the forthcoming REEEP II–GREEN+ phase, underscoring its potential to further strengthen GIZ–EU collaboration, enhance the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund’s (SECF) role in promoting market-based clean energy solutions, and advance inclusive energy access.

The event featured technical presentations on energy efficiency in buildings and industries along with experience sharing from SECF supported private-sector projects. Developers showcased practical results from initiatives in induction cooking, EV charging infrastructure, hy-pump technologies, rooftop solar PV, and industrial energy-efficiency measures. It was noted that REEEP-GREEN enabled around 60,000 people to access affordable renewable energy technologies and has supported private industries in implementing energy-efficiency measures projected to save over 62,008 MWh annually within just two years.

A high-level panel discussion on “Policy Discourse: Energy Efficiency as the Engine of Decarbonization”” examined how strategic policy alignment, regulatory frameworks, green finance, and private-sector participation can accelerate the scale-up of energy-efficiency interventions across Nepal. Panelists underscored the role of energy efficiency as the most cost-effective pathway to reduce emissions, enhance energy security, and support Nepal’s long-term low-carbon development goals

Concluding the program, representatives from MoEWRI, GIZ and AEPC reaffirmed SECF’s catalytic role in mobilizing private investment, strengthening market-driven clean energy solutions, and supporting Nepal’s long-term climate and clean energy ambitions.

About REEEP-GREEN:

REEEP-GREEN is a joint initiative financed by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ. REEEP-GREEN aims to enhance planning and implementation conditions for measures that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in Nepal.

REEEP-GREEN supported SECF interventions have benefited nearly 60,000 people, promoting the adoption of induction cookstoves, biogas systems, solar water pumps, micro-hydropower rehabilitation and grid interconnection, e-rickshaws, and other energy-efficient solutions. In addition, SECF has supported the deployment of 14 electric vehicle (EV) charging station projects across 19 locations, with individual system sizes ranging from 140 kW to 560 kW, significantly contributing to the expansion of Nepal’s EV charging infrastructure and the decarbonization of the transport sector. The strong market response to SECF demonstrates growing confidence among private developers and financial institutions in Nepal’s distributed sustainable energy sector. The Fund has played a pivotal role in catalyzing investment, transforming energy service delivery, fostering innovation, strengthening public-private partnerships, and contributing to national priorities including NDC 3.0, the Energy Development Roadmap 2081, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Frank Fecher

Prgramme Manager, REEEP-GREEN

GIZ Nepal, Khumatar, Lalitpur

Email: reep@giz.de

Phone No: +977 015538129