DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 001908 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR OED FOR WIREC ACTION GROUP LEADER STAN SPECHT AND OES SPECIAL ASSISTANT CAMILLE HILL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ENRG EPET SENV SOCI TRGY KPAO KGHG KSCA NP SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY CONFERENCE REF: STATE 138428 Demarche Delivered -------------- ¶1. (U) On October 3 Emboff met with Lekh Nath Bhattarai, America desk officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),to confirm that the Government of Nepal(GON) plans to send an official ministerial delegation to the 2008 Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008). Bhattarai told Emboff that the GON was very interested in sending a delegation to WIREC 2008. There is tremendous potential for the development of renewable energy sources in Nepal. The development of Nepal's hydropower potential, as well as its wind and solar power, would not only provide the people of Nepal with inexpensive and clean energy, but would also generate a valuable export. Bhattarai told Emboff that the composition of the delegation would not be determined until closer to the date of the conference. Bhattarai also asked whether there would be any financial support available to a GON delegation. Post Suggestions For Non-governmental Invitees -------------- ¶2. (U) Post suggests the following NGOs, private companies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and academia be invited to WIREC 2008: 1. Alternative Energy Promotion Center; 2. Center for Energy Studies, Institute for Engineering, Tribhuvan University; 3. Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry; ¶4. Nepal's Independent Power Producers Association; 5. Center for Rural Technology; ¶6. Electric Vehicle Association Nepal; 7. Kathmandu Electric Vehicle Association; ¶8. Solar Energy Company; 9. Lotus Energy; 10. Biogas Support Program; 11. Energy Sector Assistance Program; 12. Winrock International Nepal Office; ¶13. National Association of Community Electricity Users - Nepal; 14. Clean Energy Development Bank and 15. Butwal Power Company. POWELL