A research team from Stimson Center led by Andrew Hyde along with Austin Lord and myself visited several locations in Nepal in early April 2024 to gain firsthand insights into a hybrid solar power facility at the Birendra Peacekeeping Operations Training Center (BPOTC) outside of Kathmandu donated by the United States. Geared to gaining the maximum impact from the hybrid system, BPOTC is taking the lead on training personnel for the installation and operation of the system, ensuring significant reduction of Nepali Army emissions at the center, and reinforcing the sustainability of the system. This facility is being mirrored by a second U.S. – provided system being installed at the Nepalese peacekeeping base in Rumbek, South Sudan replacing diesel generators. These twin hybrid systems are a pilot effort to encourage further renewable energy deployments to a number of UN peacekeeping sites.
The Stimson team gained invaluable insights from meetings with multiple stakeholders partnering on this triangular project and learned of some of the significant challenges that have faced all the stakeholders and how they have been identified and overcome. Stimson’s study of these two systems will illuminate the opportunities and challenges for other UN member states – both donors and troop contributing nations – of such hybrid systems at UN peacekeeping sites.
Hybrid Solar Power Project Site A at Panchkhal, Nepal. Photo: Abiral Khatri
Stimson’s April 7-10 visit was an opportunity to observe progress directly and meet with a wide range of stakeholders, including military commanders, private sector players, Nepalese government energy specialists, and U.S. diplomats. The hybrid solar power generation facilities, made up of solar panels, backup diesel generators, and a distribution system, will modernize and enhance Nepal’s role at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The BPOTC project site visit consisted of a rich interaction with the Nepali Army personnel, Contractors, and Consultants spearheading the installation. Furthermore, at our request, BPOTC officials hosted a virtual meeting with the Nepali Peacekeeping troops in Rumbek allowing us to observe directly the degree and extent of knowledge sharing and lessons learned experience among the two sites.
Project Site
After a two-hour drive along a road engulfed in smoke caused by wildfires, which have been exacerbated by climate change, we arrived at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre (BPOTC). BPOTC is the Nepali peacekeeping training institute dedicated to training over 6000 personnel annually as they deploy to UN peace operations worldwide. Since 1958, Nepali peacekeepers have contributed to 44 UN missions, and recently, Nepal has become the largest UN peacekeeping Troop Contributing Country (TCC).
Aerial view of BPOTC. Photo: BPOTC
The training center was also recently the host of Shanti Prayas 4, a multinational peacekeeping exercise in the Indo-Pacific region supported by the US Global Peace Operation Initiative participated by a total of 1,125 soldiers from 19 countries.
Exercise Shanti Prayas 4 Parade at BPOTC. Photo: GPOI
During the exercise, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, Ms. Rachel Schiller, visited the BPOTC site along with the US Ambassador for Nepal and U.S. Diplomats in mid-February to address the peacekeepers and inaugurate the hybrid solar project.
The Triangular Partnership
Nepal, the U.S., and the United Nations Department of Operational Support embraced a trilateral partnership model in December 2021 to support the UN Secretariat’s Climate Action Plan, which called for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade. This partnership approach encompasses three major tasks: i) provision and installation of the hybrid electricity generation system at both a domestic training center and at a troop deployment in a UN peacekeeping mission; ii) training for installation, operations, and maintenance, and iii) a commitment to sustaining the system through and possibly beyond the end of the peacekeeping mission.
Improvisation and Adaptability
To support the construction and installation of the solar-powered system at the BPOTC facility, the Nepali Army has set aside a ground site for two car park structures that support the hybrid solar project with 100 panels and 240 panels each, with a peak generation capacity of 188 kilowatts. The project has faced some initial hurdles, but it has provided the Nepali Army with early insights into troubleshooting and adaptation. As a researcher based in Nepal, I have had the privilege of visiting the BPOTC solar site four times since early December 2023 and with each visit, I have seen the project take shape while new issues continue to emerge and provide valuable learning opportunities.
Solar Site A (100 panels) & unused Truss Mould. Photo: Abiral Khatri
Interaction with Nepali Peacekeepers in Rumbek
Projects such as the hybrid solar system have empowered Nepali Peacekeeping Troops to embrace emerging technologies granting access to state-of-the-art facilities and enhancing troops safety while combating climate change. During our visit to the project site at BPOTC, we engaged in numerous discussions with stakeholders. Moreover, we had a chance to join a dialogue with the respective teams at BPOTC and Rumbek and gain insights into how the knowledge gleaned from BPOTC’s experience is being shared with the deployed troops in Rumbek. Said an officer from the Nepali Battalion in Rumbek “This pilot project is good for the environment given its hybrid nature. It will help with the security issues in logistics for the fuel supply safety and reduce the operational costs by enabling us to store and distribute electricity.”
Video Teleconference with Nepali Peacekeeping troops in Rumbek, South Sudan. Picture: Abiral Khatri
High-Level Meetings
In Kathmandu, the Stimson team held high-level talks at the US Embassy, the UN Country Office in Nepal, and the Nepali Army Headquarters. During our discussions, a Nepali army official from the research and development department emphasized the value of knowledge sharing, stating, “We hope that the insights of this pilot project will be useful to other peacekeeping countries.”
Stimson Team at Nepali Army Headquarters with the Director of Peace Operations. Photo: Abiral Khatri
Positive Spillovers
The trilateral partnership for the Hybrid Solar project stands out as an exemplary model within the context of the UN Secretariat’s Climate Action Plan (UNSCAP), the UN Department of Operational Support’s Environment Strategy Phase II, and the Compact on Renewable Energy and Peacekeeping. As a pilot initiative, the project offers unique learning experiences. Its positive impact extends beyond the immediate UN missions, establishing a precedent for other countries to adopt similar collaborative frameworks. This paves the way for more triangular partnerships in the future, fostering greater cooperation and innovation in renewable energy initiatives worldwide.
About the Author
Abiral Khatri is a climate finance researcher/consultant for the Powering Peace Program at the Stimson Center and an Adjunct Lecturer of Entrepreneurship, Investments and Strategic Management for MBA/BBA-Innovate for Impact at the British College, Kathmandu. He is also a consultant for GCF Readiness program in Nepal. Abiral received an Msc. Economics and MBA from Renmin University of China, Erasmus University Rotterdam and IIM Bangalore. His research work has been published in journals such as Sustainability by MDPI, Energy Growth Nexus by Elsevier and Energy Efficiency Financing by Springer.
Abiral Khatri, an energy and climate expert based in Kathmandu, is at the intersection of climate mitigation in a Global South and the role the military can play. His longstanding knowledge and networks in Nepal have provided unique insights into the potential of renewable energy in military and peacekeeping settings. His research is providing critical content for the Stimson Center’s upcoming report on Triangular Renewable Energy partnerships for UN peacekeeping under the Powering Peace program.
Header image: Stimson Research Team with Nepali Army Personnel & Contractor at Solar Site B in Panchkhal, Nepal. Photo: Abiral Khatri
