Women-Centric Mini-Grid Enterprises in South Asia: Micro Hydropower in Nepal and Pakistan

Event: Asia Clean Energy Forum 2019

Women-Centric Mini-Grid Enterprises in South Asia: Micro Hydropower in Nepal and Pakistan

18 June 2019
Author / Speaker: 
Ranisha Basnet, Energypedia UG - Other materials by the author

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Renewable energy mini-grids are becoming a widely accepted solution for cost-effective and reliable energy access. Hydro mini-grids in Nepal and Pakistan reveal that the long-term sustainability of projects is dependent on whether they are run as enterprises that generate revenue which is re-invested into the project. Our experiences show that women-centric approaches to mini-grid ownership, management, and productive end-use result in longer-lived micro-hydropower systems. In Pakistan, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme has facilitated women to become shareholders of enterprise-based mini-grids. This has resulted in women being at the center of decision-making and having the right to receive profits-shares from the sale of electricity. In Nepal, the UNDP Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihoods Program has developed women-owned productive end-use, while facilitating grant-dependent projects to become self-sustaining, enterprise-based mini-grids. Our efforts show that SDG 7- Access to Energy and SDG 5-Gender Equality have opportunity to be addressed hand-in-hand.

Geographical Focus: 
Subregional- South Asia
Nepal
Pakistan
Type of Content: 
Learning Event

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