The 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) officially began on January 11, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Held under the main theme “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity,” the assembly is attended by more than 1,500 representatives from around 171 countries worldwide.

At the assembly, a four-member Nepali delegation actively participated, led by His Excellency Tej Bahadur Chhetri, Nepal’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Permanent Representative to IRENA. The delegation includes Nawaraj Dhakal, Executive Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), the Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission, and the First Secretary of the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi.

Addressing the assembly, AEPC Executive Director Nawaraj Dhakal outlined Nepal’s energy development roadmap. According to him, Nepal has set ambitious targets to achieve an electricity generation capacity of 28,500 MW, an annual per capita energy consumption of 1,500 kWh, and electricity exports of 15,000 MW by 2035.

He emphasized that mobilizing international financial resources is crucial to achieving these renewable energy development targets, noting that implementing Nepal’s nationally determined contributions (NDC) by 2035 is estimated to cost around USD 7.374 billion. He stated that approximately 85 percent of this cost is expected to be met through support from international climate finance and development partners.

At the assembly, extensive discussions are underway on topics such as regional energy transition, strengthening electricity grids, long-term energy planning, the use of digital innovation and artificial intelligence (AI), sustainable aviation fuels, clean cooking energy, the contribution of renewable energy to agriculture and food systems, and green industrialization.

In this context, during the Pre-Assembly held on January 10, at the meetings on Call to Action on Skilling for Energy Transition and Mobilizing Finance for Clean Cooking, AEPC Executive Director Dhakal also shared his views on behalf of the Nepali delegation. He emphasized that developing skilled human resources is essential for the energy transition and highlighted that energy-related subjects are included in Nepal’s curriculum from school to university levels. He also noted that technical training in solar, biogas, hydropower, and electrical technologies is being conducted through the CTEVT system.

In the session on clean cooking energy, he highlighted that technical and financial support is needed in four key areas in Nepal: education and public awareness, quality assurance, creating a private-sector–friendly environment, and providing consumer loans at low interest rates. He appealed to IRENA and development partner organizations for their support in these areas.

During the assembly, AEPC Executive Director Dhakal held a separate meeting with IRENA Deputy Director-General Gauri Singh, requesting support for the prompt implementation of projects approved by IRENA in Nepal.

Nepal’s ambitious energy targets, commitment to clean energy transition, and the need for international cooperation were highlighted prominently at the IRENA Assembly, reinforcing confidence that this will further strengthen Nepal’s role in renewable energy development and the global energy transition.

urjasanchar