Rural Energy Development Programme (REDP)

4.2 Planning Process

4.2.1 Energy Planning Workshop

Since the VDC leaders are the key partners in this planning process, they must be provided with the necessary information and tools. This will be done through an orientation and sensitization workshop. This workshop could be coordinated with the pre-planning workshop that Participatory District Development Programme (PDDP) and Local Governance Programme (LGP) conduct for the VDC leaders. The contents of the orientation programme will be:

Orientation/Sensitization
  • Role of Energy in Community Development
  • Status of REDP (programme briefing and status)
  • Rural Energy Technology Interventions ( Micro Hydro, Solar, Wind, Biogas, Improved Cook Stoves) Decentralized Energy Planning
  • Purpose and process of Decentralized Energy Planning,
  • Decentralized Energy Planning Procedures (Guidelines and Formats).
  • Institutional Arrangements (Role and Responsibilities of DDC: REDS, DDC, Ilakha, VDC and Ward)
  • Planning Schedule (in consultation with PDDP or LGP) In the orientation program, planning formats and guidelines will be given to the participants to assist them in the preparation of the VDC Energy Development Plans (Annex A). These forms will assist in collecting information on energy resources, consumption and technologies available. It will also assist the VDC to make energy plans by carrying out techno-economic matching of energy resources and demand. When the VDC leaders attend the Ilakha planning workshop, they will have prepared the above plan. The DEA should follow up to receive copies of the duly filled forms beforehand so that the DEA can prepare accordingly when he/she goes to the Ilakha planning workshops.

    4.2.2 Community Level Planning
    The planning process will begin at the community level. The planning at this level will form the foundation of the whole planning process. The most important component of energy planning, viz. needs assessment will be done in a participatory manner by the community members. The VDC chairperson and the respective ward chairperson will facilitate the communities in the ward to identify energy-related problems, agree on possible solutions and then prioritize the 'projects' thus identified with respect to importance, feasibility and ease of implementation.

    4.2.3 VDC Level Planning
    All the energy projects identified at the community and ward levels will be compiled by the VDC. Then, the VDC will categorize the projects into three categories:
      Category 1 : Projects that can be implemented at the community or ward level,

      Category 2 : Projects that can be implemented at the VDC level, and

      Category 3 : Projects that require external support.
    Based on the priority and the available resources with the VDC, it will allocate resources to the projects in categories 2 and 3. All this will be documented in the form of VDC Energy Plans and Programs.

    4.2.4 Ilakha Level Planning
    The DEA or TO will participate in all Ilakha planning workshops in the district. In the workshop the DEA/ TO will :
  • Facilitate discussions on the prioritization of energy related plans,
  • Provide technical input to the discussions,
  • Minute all 'recommended/ approved' energy development plans with respect to description of project, beneficiaries, impact, resource inputs, external resources required and time frame.
  • Coordinate with related programs of line agencies, PSOs, NGOs etc. Once all the Ilakha Planning Workshops are held, the DEA will analyze the energy development projects recommended/approved and categorize them according to its implementation levels viz. community, ward, VDC, Ilakha or DDC. In each implementation level, the projects will be further categorized according to whether the resources are already allocated or whether 'external' assistance is required.

    4.2.5 District Level Planning
    The DDC: REDS will then initiate discussions with related local bodies, line agencies, PSOs or NGOs regarding projects to be included in the annual plan and programs of the district. Arrangements will be made to coordinate and include the projects in the programs of the respective organizations to seek their assistance or support. When this is completed, DDC: REDS will prepare the first draft of the district energy development plan for the fiscal year. This plan will contain a prioritized list of projects giving details regarding project description, funding sources, technical feasibility and implementation modalities.

    The DEA will present this draft plan in the District Energy Committee (DEC) meeting for discussion. The DDC: REDS will prepare the second draft plan based on the DEC's recommendations.

    The second draft plan will then be presented to the DDC Coordination Committee for further discussion and comments. Based on the recommendations of the Coordination Committee, the DDC: REDS will prepare the district energy development plan for the fiscal year and present it to the District Council for final approval.