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The Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), under Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, has invited applications for the implementation of new projects through the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund under the Central Renewable Energy Fund.

The call aims to expand access to clean and modern energy across the country while promoting private sector investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Under this program, the Centre provides financial and technical support for technical and financial feasibility studies, as well as assistance for the sustainable implementation of projects. It has invited proposals from private sector organizations interested in working in three key areas.

These include Fuel Switching, Agrophotovoltaics, and Solar Thermal Systems. According to the Centre, eligible applicants include food industries, hotels, and energy service providers interested in fuel switching; agricultural farms, cooperatives, and energy companies seeking to integrate solar energy systems with farming activities; and tourism businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and energy providers interested in installing solar thermal systems.

Interested applicants must submit their online applications through the Centre’s designated website by Bhadra 8, 2083 (approximately late August 2026). Priority will be given to organizations led by women, Dalits, marginalized communities, and Indigenous groups.

The Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund has been playing an important role in expanding access to renewable energy in Nepal through private sector participation. Its primary objective is to support promising clean energy projects that are not yet fully financially viable by providing Viability Gap Funding (VGF), enabling them to move into implementation. In addition to grants and technical assistance, the fund also offers guarantee facilities in collaboration with banks to reduce lending risks.

Applications will be evaluated and selected based on the project’s potential impact, technical merit, and the available budget.

Urjasanchar