Energy availability from various sources are either getting scarce or need to be developed, whereas demands on these energy sources are growing from the different sectors in the rural areas. Therefore systematic and formal approaches towards energy planning are needed particularly at the rural areas where large sections of population reside without electricity. In this regard, the REDP has adopted a holistic approach for effective rural energy planning that ensures the timely implementation and sustainable operation of energy schemes.

REDP supports DDCs to formulate decentralized district energy development plans and programmes. The rural energy planning has already been an integral and important part of the district planning process. Rural Energy Planning is based on what the communities feel they need. Identification of energy needs is done through the local participatory approach. Then alternate energy sources are assessed technically, socially, economically and environmentally to meet these needs.

Major Activities

Energy Planning Workshops
Energy Planning Workshops were inititated in all REDP districts to sensitize the VDC officials on need of energy development and energy planning in 1998. In the workshops the VDCs personnel were provided with energy planning forms along with guidelines. These forms and guidelines helped them to identify and plan energy programmes at the community as well as VDC levels in a systematic manner.

Ilakha Planning Workshops
The REDSs of the first five REDP districts attended the ilakha planning workshops conducted for the year BS 2055/56. In these workshops, the REDS staff worked as the energy resource persons and interacted on all energy related development issues that came up for discussions. These workshops formed the basis for the preparation of the District Energy Plans and Programmes for 2056/57.

District Energy Plans and Programmes
In Baitadi, Baglung, Dadeldhura, Kavre and Tanahun the district energy planning process was fully followed in preparing the District Energy Development Plans for year BS 2055/56 . Each DDC: REDP prepares draft district energy plans and programmes based on the inputs received from the ilakha workshps as well as the consultations with related governmental line agencies. Then it is presented to the DEC for discussions and endorsement. The district rural energy plan is consisted of three components : the first component deals with activities to be funded by REDP, the second component includes the acitivities to be funded by the local governmental institutions and governmental line agencies, and the third component concerns to the activities that require external funding from the government or donor agencies. Upon the DEC's approval, the plan document is submitted to the DDC Coordination Committee and then to the District Council for final approval.

DDC, Dadeldhura has prepared an energy budget of about Rs. 1.7 million DDC Kavre Rs. 1.04 million, DDC Tanahun Rs. 31.1 million, DDC Baglung Rs. 36.7 million and DDC Baitadi Rs. 46.2 million for fiscal year BS 2055/56. These budgets included the amounts allocated for implementing various energy and environment related activities of local organizations, namely District Forest Office (DFO), District Soil Conservation Office (DSCO), District Cottage and Small Industries Development Office (DCSIDO), Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), ADB/N, CRT and Community Based Economic Development Programme (CBEDP). The DDCs are also in the process of formulating their five-year energy plans. In the very first year of its implementation, district energy planning process has yielded impressive results.