Nari Chetana Kendra Nepal, with the support of Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS), successfully organized the National Dissemination Workshop on “Accelerating the Uptake of EPCs in Nepal through Creating a Sustainable Supply Chain and Demand Stimulation” on February 24, 2025, at Everest Hotel, Kathmandu. With over 50 participants, the event brought together key stakeholders, including Mr. Mithharam Adhikari, Mayor of Buddhanilkantha Municipality as a Chief Guest, and Ms. Bimala Sapkota, Vice-President of Banepa Municipality as Special Guest. Representatives from international and national government agencies, SACCOs, clean cooking and sustainable energy organizations, and the media joined the discussion.
The workshop focused on sharing key project findings, exploring sustainable supply chain models for electric appliances (particularly electric pressure cookers), and discussing the role of the private sector in promoting clean cooking solutions. A panel discussion was held under the supervision of Session Chair: Mr. Bhim Gautam, CEO of IPPAN, with panelists including Mr. Subarna Kapali (AjummeryBikas Foundation), Ms. Bimala Sapkota Dahal (Deputy Mayor, Banepa Municipality), Ms. Suruchi Jyoti (Director, Syakar Company) and Ms. Usha Sedhai (Manager, Ram Mandir Nari Chetana Kendra Nepal). Experts shared insights on challenges and opportunities in Nepal’s e-cooking sector.
During the event, Mayor Mithharam Adhikari highlighted the socio-economic and environmental benefits of e-cooking, emphasizing that it should become the primary method of cooking. He further suggested that households consuming more electricity daily should receive greater incentives to encourage increased electricity use for cooking. Mr. Suruchi Jyoti, Director of Syakar Company, advocated for greater awareness campaigns and live demonstrations to accelerate EPC adoption. She also urged the government to reduce customs duties on electric cooking appliances, similar to policies for electric vehicles, to enhance affordability. Narayan Gyawali, Chairman of NACEUN, stressed the importance of ensuring that the project effectively reaches its targeted beneficiaries.
Closing the session, Srijana Poudel, President of Nari Chetana Kendra Nepal, expressed gratitude to all participants and affirmed that expert recommendations would be integrated to strengthen Nepal’s e-cooking sector. She emphasized that these insights and suggestions should be brought to the policy level to encourage favorable measures that support the increased adoption of electric cooking appliances.
