Government announced Solar Subsidy for Earthquake Victims

Nepal government has announced solar subsidy for earthquake victims. Issuing a press statement on Monday, the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), the government institution responsible for promoting clean energy in Nepal, unveiled its new subsidy policy. “Previously, only the families headed by women, endangered indigenous people, and Dalits were entitled to solar subsidy,” said the AEPC Executive Director Ram Prasad Dhital. “We have now decided to provide solar subsidy for earthquake survivors, too.”

The new subsidy policy was made public after being approved by the Finance and Infrastructure Committee of the Cabinet, according to the AEPC statement. Approximately 400,000 houses were damaged by the quake. “When the earthquake survivors start rebuilding their houses, they can apply for solar subsidy,” said Dhital. “The details of the new policy will be out very soon.”

Three years ago, the AEPC had started solar subsidy for people living in urban areas. Last year’s five-month Indian blockade prompted many in Kathmandu Valley to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels using subsidy provided by the AEPC. Nepal has a target to provide clean, reliable and easily available energy for its entire population by 2030.