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Pioneering Microfinance for Rural Access to Clean Energy Technologies

Providing clean energy services for poor households
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This paper presents an overview of Winrock International’s work in Nepal’s renewable energy technologies (RETs) and microfinance sectors.

Winrock has pioneered clean energy services for poor households through access to microfinance in Nepal. It also supports additional livelihood enhancement by promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that use clean energy. Since 2003, Winrock has been working with rural poor households, the government, MFIs, energy companies, and commercial/development banks to develop market mechanisms for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.

Winrock has catalyzed construction of biogas plants and solar PV systems through its partnership with USAID. It has also mobilized microfinance to help poor households obtain access to electricity supply and develop SMEs. Winrock’s other projects in Nepal include:

  • Collaborating with Nepal Rastra Bank to generate a favorable policy environment for RETs lending;
  • Providing technical assistance to World Wildlife Fund;
  • Supporting establishment of the Clean Energy Development Bank and its capacity building in Nepal;
  • Piloting the scaling-up of indoor smoke alleviating technologies in the hilly regions of Nepal;
  • Designing credit financing of solar home systems.

About this Publication

By Dhakal, S.
Published