Monday, April 19, 2010

IFC, Clean Energy Development Bank seal deal

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — has partnered with Clean Energy Development Bank Ltd to help the bank increase finance for sustainable energy and energy efficiency projects.
IFC is advising the bank to adopt an approach that will help the bank identify opportunities for renewable energy and energy efficiency financing. IFC’s assistance will include training for staff to improve their skills when evaluating proposals on energy efficiency and renewable energy financing, as well as product development and marketing, and engineering due diligence for energy efficiency projects.

The bank also will benefit from IFC’s initiatives on energy auditor development, market potential studies, and targeted awareness and training activities related to sustainable energy finance.

“The energy crisis in Nepal is acute,” Manoj Goyal, CEO of the Clean Energy Development Bank, said at the signing ceremony here in Kathmandu today. “At the same time, there is a huge potential for renewables in this country,” he said adding that with IFC’s support, the bank would be able to expand the sustainable energy finance market in Nepal.

The SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility — managed by IFC in partnership with the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation — is providing advisory support to the Clean Energy Development Bank and the financial sector to train bankers on energy efficiency and renewable energy financing.

“Clean Energy Development Bank has pioneered sustainable energy finance initiatives in Nepal,” Ian Crosby, Head of the SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility, said. “We are excited to be able to support them in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and manage risks better.” IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives.

Similarly, Clean Energy Development Bank, is a national level development bank established with a primary focus on developing clean energy and the hydropower sector in Nepal. In commercial operation since September 2006, the bank has a technical collaboration with Winrock International, an international organisation working in Nepal in energy sector, and is supported by USAID.

Besides debt financing, the bank offers assistance to the clean energy and hydropower projects by way of private equity and advisory and consulting services.

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