Seminar  on “Biogas, Biomass, and Waste Management”

The RSEL , Kathmandu University in collaboration with the Renewable Energy Confederation of Nepal (RECON) successfully organized a seminar on “Biogas, Biomass, and Waste Management” on March 28, 2024. This event, part of the NORPART-funded Re-Tech project, brought together 45 stakeholders deeply invested in exploring Nepal’s renewable energy potential.

Assoc. Prof. Rajan Thapa of USN shared insights into the latest academic research on biomass gasification and offered collaboration to aid Nepal. Dr. Sunil Lohani, lead at RSEL, provided insights into the academic research on biogas at RSEL and the current research landscape in Nepal’s biogas sector. Dr. Lohani requested that the government and private sector collaborate with relevant research groups across universities in Nepal right from the inception stage of program and policy development to address the sector’s scientific, technical, and policy challenges. Such inclusive involvement ensures real-world issues are addressed by researchers, fostering local expertise and contributing to sustainable development. This boosts the renewable energy sector’s growth, making it a vital part of national development and economic prosperity. Gunaraj Dhakal, Chairperson of RECON, highlighted the pivotal role of the private sector in advancing renewable energy initiatives, while Sundar Bahadur Khadka from the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) discussed government strategic initiatives to drive renewable energy sectors forward.

During workshop discussions, participants recognized the significant untapped potential of bioenergy in Nepal and emphasized the role of academia from project inception. Despite academia’s importance, it’s often overlooked in government-private sector collaborations.

To address this, active engagement with academia is crucial, alongside securing adequate funding for proper research execution. By involving academia and allocating resources, tailored solutions can be developed, maximizing impact and sustainability. Leveraging national resources and local expertise, clean energy solutions via biogas, biomass, and waste management can be effectively promoted.