Thursday, October 5, 2017

AEPC provides Rs 60 million to microhydro projects

The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) has provided support for maintenance of 48 micro hydro projects, which were completely or partially damaged by the devastating earthquakes of April and May 2015. The AEPC has provided Rs 60 million to 48 projects – out of the total 262 projects that were damaged – in the last two years for their maintenance.
AEPC is providing grant to complete maintenance of the damaged projects in 11 districts – Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Okhaldhunga and Makawanpur – which were highly affected by the natural calamity.
AEPC will continue its financial support to damaged projects until completion of maintenance process. According to the AEPC, micro hydro projects in Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk and Gorkha were highly affected by the earthquakes.
The AEPC is providing support for maintenance of micro hydro projects, with assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Department for International Development (DfID). Likewise, fund from the government is also being utilised for maintenance of such projects.
"We are not directly involved in the maintenance process of the said projects," spokesperson for AEPC Nawa Raj Dhakal said, adding that the AEPC provides subsidy and the local community or consumer community of the project will handle the entire works.
AEPC has distinguished damaged projects in two categories; partially-damaged and fully-damaged. AEPC is sending grant through district coordination committee to projects for partially-damaged projects, whereas it directly sends the support amount to the project in the case of fully-damaged projects.
Likewise, AEPC – a government institution formed with an objective to develop and promote renewable and alternative energy technologies in the country – has also assisted the maintenance process of more than 5,000 biogas plants affected by the same natural disaster in Kavre and Gorkha districts. Likewise, it has started a study to assist the biogas plants in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts. 

No comments: