The DEES will promote, monitor and mobilize the resources for an alternative energy to plan, implement, and operate energy systems at the local levels. It will work as a district level body of the AEPC.

Dr Govinda Raj Pokharel, executive director of the AEPC, said that handling all works for the promotion of alternative energy from the centre has been difficult. "Majority of the AEPC works are intended for local levels and the DEES will help the AEPC conduct its works effectively." The DEES will be situated at the District Development Committees (DDC) in the districts and work as sectoral offices of the DDCs.

The United Nations Development Programme is granting US$ 2 million to set up the DEES and the offices will be set up for tenure of five years in the first phase. Pokharel said: "It will bring all the stakeholders in the districts together for the promotion of alternative energy and protection of environment and generate synergic effect."

Source: Himalayan News Service, July 28, 2007