A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at New Delhi, India between FSR Global, and the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) of Nepal, marking the beginning of a transformative collaboration in the energy sector. 

The agreement was formalized by Swetha Ravi Kumar, Executive Director of FSR Global, and Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital, Chairperson of ERC Nepal, during a ceremony held in New Delhi. This MoU underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to advance sustainable energy pathways across Nepal, India, and the broader South Asia region. 

The partnership aims to address critical energy challenges and foster knowledge-sharing through the following initiatives: 

• Capacity-Building: Development of training programs for regulatory and government officials, energy professionals, and stakeholders from public and private enterprises. 
• Knowledge Exchange: Co-creation of training, education, and research initiatives to accelerate energy transition efforts in the region. 
• Events and Outreach: Joint organization of conferences, workshops, and roundtables involving stakeholders from various sectors to discuss pressing issues in energy transitions.

This collaboration represents a significant step in bolstering regional cooperation in the energy sector, focusing on both Nepal’s transition to sustainable and renewable energy systems and its contributions in the South Asia region. A particular emphasis would be given to build a future ready workforce and enhance capacity of energy stakeholders in Nepal to support and enable energy transition pathways for Nepal.  

“The South Asia region accounts for ~25% of the world population and is also one the regions prone to climate vulnerabilities. The energy transition pathways of this region will not only impact the development efforts within the region but also impact the outcome at the global level. So countries such as Nepal are well positioned to drive impact with their abundant renewable resources. What will be key for Nepal is to establish a robust regulatory framework to enable energy transition and a workforce that understands its nuances and can deliver it” – said Ms. Swetha Ravi Kumar, Executive Director, FSR Global 

“It is essential to strengthen the regulatory framework governing Nepal’s electricity sector in order to achieve the country’s ambitious goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2045. As a relatively new institution, the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) is in the critical phase of developing key regulatory instruments which will help to support this transition. We are particularly focused on expanding electricity usage, shifting away from fossil-based energy sources, and leveraging Nepal’s vast hydroelectric potential. We must ensure that the institutions involved in energy regulation are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to manage the complexities of a rapidly evolving energy sector. In this regard, a positive discrimination approach from our development partners is crucial. The partnership between ERC and FSR Global will help enhance the institutional capacity of electricity sector in Nepal” – said Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital, Chairperson of ERC Nepal. 

About FSR Global 

FSR Global is an independent regulatory hub of excellence focused on energy transitions in the Global South. Using a system thinking approach they aim at improving the quality of energy regulation by collaborating and co-creating knowledge with multi-stakeholders from the energy sector and beyond. They develop and disseminate knowledge through their 3-pillars of activities – training, policy dialogues and research, through Global North-South and Global South- South partnerships. FSR Global is a not-for-profit organization registered and based in New Delhi, India. (www.fsrglobal.org)  

About Electricity Regulatory Commission of Nepal 

Electricity Regulatory Commission of Nepal is an independent regulatory body established by the Government of Nepal under the Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 2017 and subsequent rules of 2018, dedicated to simplifying the generation, transmission, distribution, and trade of electricity, ensuring a systematic, transparent, and balanced approach to meet the Nepal Nation’s demands. It is headquartered at Sano Gaucharan, Kathmandu, Nepal- 44600 (https://erc.gov.np/).