Pokhara Metropolitan City has launched its first Municipal Energy Plan (MEP), marking a step toward sustainable urban development and clean energy transition. The five-year plan aims to expand energy access, improve efficiency, and promote renewable energy sources in line with Nepal’s national energy and climate objectives.

The launch event took place at Fishtail Lodge in Pokhara, where Mayor Dhanaraj Acharya formally introduced the plan. The program was attended by key figures including Dr Narayan Prasad Adhikari, Deputy Executive Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, and Dr Narayan P Chaulagain, Senior Energy Specialist at GIZ Nepal, along with representatives from the metropolitan city, development agencies, and the private sector.

The MEP was developed by the Energy Development Subcommittee with technical assistance from the REEEP-GREEN project. It followed a structured nine-step process involving broad stakeholder consultations and was formally endorsed by the city in February 2025.

The plan, with a total budget of Rs 1.33bn, envisions “efficient and sustainable energy for Prosperous Pokhara.”  The plan outlines four key focus areas aimed at transforming the city's energy landscape. These include promoting the use of clean and efficient renewable energy at the household level, and reducing reliance on conventional and imported fuels by transitioning to locally available renewable sources. It also emphasizes enhancing energy efficiency in commercial and industrial sectors to help minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the plan seeks to raise public awareness through targeted policies and educational outreach initiatives.

Mayor Acharya highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and coordination across all levels of government to implement the plan effectively, stating that the initiative is a vital step in building a greener and more energy-resilient Pokhara.