icegov2012 proceedings

GoN has addressed the challenge to nation-wide electrification by
expanding access to RETs for electrification in rural areas. This
government initiative promotes domestic and institutional
electrification based on locally-available sources of renewable
energy, including micro hydro and solar photovoltaic (solar pv)
systems. Even where it is available, RET-based rural
electrification systems are very limited as they are designed for
lighting for a set number of households. They generally cannot
support the power requirements of appliances, and basic ICT
equipment. These compounded factors have resulted in limited
access to, and expansion of ICT applications and electronicservices
beyond urban and peri-urban areas. Nepal’s terrain has
also impeded expansion of the internet backbone. Internet service
providers are gradually extending connectivity through vertical
spurs from the backbone, yet terrestrial systems are feasible only
along the plains area. The majority of the country relies on
wireless and satellite-based connectivity, which is expensive.
Consequently, remote communities needing vital access to
information and communications services, the potential key
beneficiaries of the national E-Governance initiatives, remain
deprived of electronic and ICT services. Public access services do
not exist, and ICTs have been unable to be integrated into rural
governance and education systems.
2.1 Challenges to Rural ICT
o Limited access to grid electricity
o Limited power from RET-based power systems
o Limited penetration of information ICT infrastructure
o High power consumption of conventional computers
o Inadequate integration of ICTs into rural tapestry
o Inadequate rural-appropriate online-based applications
3. APPROACH
In this scenario, Winrock International has pioneered an approach
to introduce and establish locally appropriate electronic services
based on RET-power. Basic details are presented in Table 1; the
geographic diversity of the pilot sites is presented in Figure 2.
Name
Table 1. Project Details
Rural Livelihood Enhancement
through Increased Access to
Information and Communication
Technologies project
Location Four remote communities in rural
Nepal
365
Timeline April 2009- February 2012
The primary focus of the approach:
o Increase public access to rural electronic and ICT services
o Increase awareness of power-efficient options
o Foster the right to information
o Internet-based services to local communities
o Renewable energy, rural ICT, and education services through
partnerships
o Ensure sustainability through partner networks
o Computer and internet literacy
− E-services, applications and services for MDGs
− Poverty alleviation and overall development through
access to information and communication on health,
agriculture, and education
3.1 Innovative Model
The project has leveraged Intel funding to demonstrate maximum
impacts on rural development by establishing the last mile of
connectivity, and using the internet to enhance lives. Multistakeholder
partnerships have been forged with government as
well as non-government bodies to deliver appropriate internetbased
services to local communities. Partners contributing to the
project activities at various levels have contributed additional
funds, forging a sense of ownership of the activity across sectors,
and enabling multiple activities to be carried out towards the
single common goal of sustainable rural development. The model
is illustrated in Figure 3.
Figure 2. Topographic map of Nepal indicating project
districts