Kathmandu, Nepal – Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is signaling a significant strategic shift towards sustainable energy, with its Executive Director, Dr. Chandika Prasad Bhatta, announcing the corporation's readiness to diversify into green hydrogen. This declaration came during a high-level Strategic Dialogue on the Commercialization of Green Hydrogen in Nepal, co-organized by VRock and Company and NOC on July 6. The event convened key policymakers, industry leaders, and energy experts to chart a viable course for integrating green hydrogen into the nation's energy matrix.

Dr. Bhatta underscored the imperative for NOC to evolve beyond its traditional fossil fuel business, citing the growing electrification of transportation and cooking sectors as a primary driver. "NOC is ready to diversify its business portfolio," he stated, highlighting the corporation's robust financial standing as a foundation for anchoring new sustainable energy ventures crucial for Nepal's economic growth and energy security.

The dialogue featured a technical presentation by Dr. Biraj Singh Thapa, Team Leader of the Green Hydrogen Lab at Kathmandu University, who detailed Nepal's substantial potential for green hydrogen development. Drawing on extensive academic research and pilot studies, Dr. Thapa advocated for a critical transition from theoretical exploration to practical, on-ground implementation. "We must now break the norm and create tangible projects outside the lab environment," he urged, emphasizing the urgency of real-world application.

A dynamic panel discussion, chaired by Dr. Ram Prasad Ghimire, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MOICS), and moderated by former Chief Secretary Dr. Baikuntha Aryal, explored Nepal's preparedness for hydrogen integration across various industrial sectors. Panelists, including Shivaram Pokharel (Joint Secretary, MOICS), Sandip Dev (Joint Secretary, Water and Energy Commission Secretariat), and Birendra Pandey (Senior Vice President, Confederation of Nepalese Industries), collectively stressed the immediate need for pilot and demonstration projects, the establishment of a dedicated anchor agency, and comprehensive policy alignment to scale up hydrogen initiatives. Dr. Ghimire concluded the session by reaffirming, "The transition cannot wait. We must initiate pilot projects at the earliest possible."

A significant highlight of the event was the presentation of the "Green Hydrogen Roadmap Development: Strategic Feasibility Study and Business Modeling for Nepal Oil Corporation" by VRock and Company's Bidur Bhusal and Swastik Aryal. The study unveiled two initial pilot project concepts, one each for transportation and cooking applications, proposed under a phased development approach for NOC. The roadmap strongly recommended robust private sector engagement, public awareness campaigns, and cross-sector partnerships as crucial elements for ensuring early-stage success.

The dialogue garnered enthusiastic participation from senior figures across academia and regulatory bodies, including Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital, Chairman of the Electricity Regulatory Commission. Sher Singh Bhat from the Nepal Energy Foundation shared insights into ongoing hydrogen-powered cooking pilots in Baglung. Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, former KU Vice-Chancellor, reflected on Nepal's historical role in green hydrogen research, issuing a cautionary note: "It’s now or never for Nepal to lead in green hydrogen," while observing India's rapid progress despite a later start. The broad attendance from the private sector, academia, and NOC officials underscored the growing national interest in green hydrogen. This dialogue marks a pivotal step in aligning Nepal’s energy strategy with global hydrogen development trends, laying a strong foundation for a future anchored in clean energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic diversification.