By: Regeena Regmi, Communication Specialist, NREP

With the dedicated efforts of the Nepal Renewable Energy Programme, more than 75 individuals across the country have been trained in electric cooktop repair and maintenance. This initiative, carried out in partnership with various Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), is a crucial step toward making a real difference in people’s lives. The impact of this training goes beyond just technical skills—it’s about creating better livelihoods, encouraging the use of renewable energy, empowering individuals, and helping Nepal reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Bridging the Skills Gap and Enhancing Livelihoods

As electric cooking technology becomes more popular across Nepal, there’s a growing need for skilled technicians who can keep these devices running smoothly. The training program addresses this need by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to maintain and repair electric cooktops. For many participants, especially those from areas with limited job prospects, this training offers a chance to earn a stable income. Having this extra skill set means they can better support themselves and their families, helping to uplift entire communities.

Promoting the Adoption of Renewable Energy Technologies

This training also plays a key role in encouraging more people to adopt electric cooking in their homes. As Nepal pushes forward with its renewable energy goals, moving away from traditional cooking methods that rely on biomass or imported fossil fuels is essential. By training technicians who can offer reliable after-sales support, the program gives consumers the confidence they need to make the switch to electric cooktops. Knowing that help is readily available if something goes wrong makes the transition to electric cooking much easier for households.

Empowering Women

One of the most powerful aspects of this training is its impact on women. In Nepal, traditional gender roles often limit the kinds of jobs women can pursue. This technical training breaks down those barriers by providing women with the skills they need to enter and succeed in a field where they’ve historically been underrepresented. This isn’t just about learning to fix cooktops; it’s about giving women the tools to take control of their economic futures, promote gender equality, and inspire the next generation of women to explore new opportunities.

Reducing Reliance on Imported Fossil Fuels

Nepal’s dependence on imported fossil fuels creates economic and environmental challenges. However, with the country’s abundant hydropower resources, there’s a huge opportunity to shift toward clean, locally produced energy. By promoting the use of electric cooktops that run on hydropower, this training program helps reduce Nepal’s fossil fuel imports. This transition brings multiple benefits: it cuts down on the outflow of foreign currency, strengthens energy security, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. As more households embrace electric cooking, Nepal can make better use of its clean energy resources, paving the way for a more sustainable and self-reliant future.

Till date through Government of Nepal’s Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund, 30,000+ households have adopted E-cooking Technology. SECF is a challenge fund mechanism promoted by the Government of Nepal through the Alternative Energy Promotion Center with technical assistance from the Nepal Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) and financial support from the UK in Nepal.

NREP is a Government of Nepal programme implemented by Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, and a consortium led by DAI Global and including Winrock International.