UK-Nepal Energy Transition and Countdown to COP26

OVERVIEW

On 29th September over 80 delegates joined us for the UK-Nepal Energy Transition and Countdown to COP26 hybrid trade mission.  Thanks to our sponsors Dolma Impact Fund, Standard Chartered Bank Nepal and Kushal Projects.

Together with the Nepalese Embassy London, British Embassy Kathmandu and Investment Board Nepal (IBN), DMA hosted this innovative hybrid event combining socially distanced physical meetings in London and Kathmandu, connected by a digital bridge.

Key principals and interlocutors from both governments introduced themselves to delegates and had the opportunity to present their positions in the run up to COP26. 10-12 UK-based energy transition companies then met virtually with businesses in Nepal across the renewable energy landscape including in energy, engineering, construction, legal, accountancy and banking services sectors.

Video coverage of the event can be watched on our YouTube channel here.

PROGRAMME

All times in British Summer Time (BST).  

09:00 – 09:25: Mission Opening*

  • Sushil Bhatta, CEO, Investment Board, Nepal
  • HMA Nicola Pollitt, British Ambassador to Nepal
  • Roshan Khanal, DHM, Nepalese Embassy in London
  • The Lord Sheikh, Chairman, UK-Nepal Trade and Investment Forum

09:25 – 09:40: Mission Keynote*

  • Hon. Janardan Sharma Prabhakar, Finance Minister of Nepal

09:40 – 09:50: Diversifying the Nepal’s Energy Mix*

  • Madhu Prasad Bhetuwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation

09.50 - 10.00: Roadmap to Nepal's Strategic Engagement in the COP26: Enhancing Private Sector Partnership*

  • Dr Radha Wagle, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Environment

10:00 – 10:10: IBN and Investment Opportunities in Green Infrastructure in Nepal*

  • Sagar Raj Goutam, Senior Divisional Engineer, Investment Board Nepal

10:10 – 11:00: The Nepalese offer*

  • Kul Man Ghising, Managing DIrector, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)
  • Dr Madhusudhan Adhikari, Executive Director, Alternative Energy Promotion Centre
  • Krishna Pd. Acharya, President, Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN)
  • Shekhar Golchha, President, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)
  • Vishnu Kumar Agarwal, President, Confederation of Nepalese Industry (CNI)

11.00 - 11.10: Spotlight - Standard Chartered Bank in Nepal*

  • Anirvan Ghosh Dastidar, CEO, Standard Chartered Nepal Ltd

11:10 – 11:20: Spotight - A British Success Story in Nepal*

  • Tim Gocher, Founder and CEO, Dolma Impact Fund

11:20 - 11:50: Financing the Energy Transition and Investing to Achieve Net Zero*

  • Ken O’Flaherty, COP26 Regional Ambassador Asia Pacific and South Asia
  • Simon Lucas, Head Climate Inclusion and Resilience Nepal, FCDO
  • Leisha Blackburn, Senior Business Origination Officer, EECAN, South Asia and Asia Pacific, UKEF
  • Hector Gomez Ang, Regional Director for South Asia, IFC
  • Shanker Khagi, Senior Energy Advisor, USAID Nepal
  • Amal-Lee Amin, Director for Climate Change, CDC

11:50 – 12:00: A Net Zero Initiative

  • Sandeep Agarwal, Managing Director, Kushal Projects Nepal Pvt ltd

12.00 - 12.45: Introduction to British Companies 

This session would see UK companies introduced to Nepalese companies via video link

12:45 – 13:30: Introduction to Nepalese Companies

This session would see Nepalese companies introduced to UK companies via video link

Close: Networking lunch for UK companies in the Nepalese Embassy