POKHARA, Aug 5: Pokhara Metropolitan City has officially launched its first Municipal Energy Plan (MEP), aiming to expand energy access, enhance efficiency, and promote renewable energy solutions over the next five years.
Mayor Dhanaraj Acharya unveiled the plan amid a formal ceremony at Fishtail Lodge on Tuesday. The event was attended by key stakeholders, including Dr. Narayan Prasad Adhikari, Deputy Executive Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and Dr. Narayan P. Chaulagain, Senior Energy Specialist at GIZ Nepal.
Developed by the Energy Development Subcommittee with technical support from the REEEP-GREEN project, the plan went through a comprehensive nine-step preparation process involving wide stakeholder consultations. It was formally endorsed by Pokhara Metropolitan City in February 2025.
With a total budget of Rs 1.33 billion, the MEP sets the vision for “efficient and sustainable energy for a Prosperous Pokhara.” It prioritizes increasing clean energy use at the household level, transitioning from imported fuels to local renewable sources, enhancing efficiency in the commercial and industrial sectors, and raising public awareness through policy and education initiatives.
Addressing the event, Mayor Acharya reiterated the PMC’s commitment to implementing the plan in close coordination with all three tiers of government and relevant stakeholders. He emphasized that the MEP is crucial to steering Pokhara toward a greener and more resilient future.
The Renewable Energy for Rural Areas and Green Municipal Energy Plans (REEEP-GREEN) is a joint initiative funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It is implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation (MoEWRI) and AEPC. The project supports inclusive, gender-responsive energy planning at the municipal level.