Productive energy use framework and decision support tool

Organisers: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

Concept note

Background

Our Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Capability for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (REEECH) Initiative is developing a decision support tool to help governments, investors, and other stakeholders in decision-making related to investments in the sustainable energy sector in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. This activity is being implemented with support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), through the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

In this regard, we are organising a focused learning and sharing session for stakeholders on the REEECH aggregator digital platform.

Objectives                                                                                                                                  

• Discuss and receive inputs on the Productive Energy Use (PEU) framework for decentralised off-grid renewable energy projects
• Discuss and receive feedback on strengthening the decision support tool to identify PEU potentials of existing micro-hydro plants in Nepal using geo-spatial tools
• Explore ways to ensure practical use of the decision support tool by stakeholders
• Revisit and refine the outcomes of the decision support tool for further dissemination to a broader audience

Background

Productive energy use framework and decision support tool

There are nearly 4000 micro-hydro plants in Nepal, around 2000 of which are above the 10-kW capacity The Government of Nepal and the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) are promoting productive use of power generated from underutilised existing micro-hydropower plants in Nepal. To supplement the productive use of energy, REEECH has developed a sustainable PEU framework in consultation with stakeholders from the HKH region. Using the PEU framework, we analysed the data on existing micro-hydropower plants in two provinces of Nepal and aggregated it in a digital platform as an online decision support tool. This tool is aimed at supporting informed decision making related to productive energy use applications and services.

About REEECH

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Capability for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (REEECH) Initiative functions as a regional hub and think-tank with a mountain focus under the umbrella of the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC) to accelerate universal energy access in the HKH region and to place mountain energy issues prominently on the global sustainable development and climate agenda. REEECH provides a coordination mechanism to foster South–South cooperation for improved access to decentralised sustainable energy solutions for HKH communities and actively promotes the scaling up of climate-resilient sustainable energy markets, industries, and innovation customised for the off-grid mountainous areas of the HKH. The initiative will strengthen adaptation and resilience-building solution packages by identifying options for green agriculture and tourism value chains, promoting inclusive and diversified enterprises and jobs, and enhancing wellbeing.

Tentative agenda