KATHMANDU: Energy needs of over a million people in 21 mountainous districts of the country will be met with the generation of electricity with solar-power technology.

The Renewable Energy Project (REP), with support of the European Union, is going to support installation of 769 solar PV systems with total generation capacity of 800 kilowatt peak, 38 solar thermal systems and 14 solar hot water systems.

According to information given at a press meet

held by REP here yesterday, the proposed solar PV

systems are for 267 schools, 206 health posts, 29 computer literacy classes,

51 community entertainment centres, 100 community telecom centres, 86 agro-grinding mills and 30 water pumping systems.

REP national director Mangaldas Maharjan said international tenders have been called for purchase and installation of electric and thermal equipment. He said agreements have been reached with companies that bid successfully.

Maharjan said the solar thermal systems would be installed within 15 months and will be handed over to the local community by February 2011. The total budget of the project is Euro 15.675 million. The government will contribute Euro 0.675 million.

Minister for Environment Thakur Sharma said the programme being implemented with the cooperation of the European Union will help alleviate the energy crisis prevailing in the country. Dr Alexander Spachis, ambassador of the European Union and head of the EU delegation EU to Nepal, said the programme will help improve the livelihood of people and conserve the environment through promotion of clean energy and thus alleviate problems created due to climate change.

Member of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Dinesh Chandra Devkota said Nepal can make income by reducing problems created by climate change. Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre Dr Narayan Chaulagain said people in rural areas will gain from the project. Ministry of Environment’s acting secretary Meena Khanal presided.