With the high demand for energy due to the explosion of population and industrialisation around the globe, conventional sources are depleting at an alarming rate. In this context, a four-day awareness programme on renewable energy technologies for non-governmental officials started here on Thursday. “Our sources of fossil fuels will dry out, if we keep consuming it at the rate that we are going at,” said Dr Dayananda Bajracharya, vice chancellor at Royal Nepal Academy for Science and Technology. "Hence, it is extremely necessary to shift our focus to renewable energy such as solar power."It is now becoming increasingly necessary to tap alternative energy sources that are abundant, renewable and environmental friendly. Be it agriculture or industry, every activity on earth depends on energy. "Due to sluggish development of hydropower facilities, the national grid has yet to cover more than 95 per cent of rural areas," said Jagan Nath Shrestha, director of Centre for Energy Study. "In this respect, it is extremely important to develop the prospects of renewable energy and make it accessible to rural people.""Studies have shown that renewable energy is economical and could aid towards the overall development of the country," said Dr Jib Raj Pokharel, dean at Institute of Engineering."Moreover, use of renewable energy could also decrease our dependency on fossil fuels."Energy consumption also has a direct influence on the environment. For instance, using firewood to cook food contributes highly towards air pollution. "Lack of information is the biggest hindrance in developing renewable energy sources in the country," said Bikash Pandey, director of Winrok International. "We hope the participants will share the information they have received and especially with their local community members."