Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) will now operate the project in Nepal.
Installed in Dhaubadi village of Nawalparasi district in 2011, the wind-solar hybrid system was completed under ADB’s regional technical assistance (RETA).
The project features two sets of 5kW wind turbines and 2kWp of solar PV panels that will meet the village’s energy demand of 43.6KWh a day.
ADB country director for Nepal Kenichi Yokoyama said the project is now providing electricity services to 46 rural households of Dhaubadi.
"The success of this project has demonstrated that it is indeed viable to provide reliable energy access to rural Nepal through solar wind hybrid systems as one of the clean energy options," Yokoyama added.
ADB said the electricity from the mini-grid has allowed Dhaubadi villagers to save time and money invested on their search for firewood.
ADB energy division director for South Asia department Yongping Zhai said the bank is now supporting the Government of Nepal to accelerate similar initiatives in other rural areas under its proposed SASEC power system expansion project.
The SASEC power system expansion project includes the addition of the off-grid component with over 4MW of mini hydro and 500kW mini grid based solar or solar and wind hybrid system.
"This will provide access to electricity and facilitate productive energy use activities in rural locations from various sources of energy like mini hydro, wind energy, solar energy and wind solar hybrid energy systems," Zhai said.
