The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has started installing solar street lamps in the streets under the public-private partnership (PPP) model as part of city beautification project. This new model will be a sustainable option to keep the Valley’s roads illuminated, and Suryaveer International, under public-private partnership have installed solar street lights which promote renewable energy and generate money by selling advertisement space on each lamp post.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City, sub-metropolitan cities and municipalities have been paying tens of millions of rupees to the NEA in electricity tariff every year. The initiation of solar-powered street lights will help to replace nearly 10,000 halogen, CFL and mercury-vapour lamps making municipalities relieved of the burden of paying electricity tariff to the Nepal Electricity Authority.

The programme aims to illuminate urban settlements with solar-powered lights and support the government’s move to end load-shedding. The street lighting campaign is also expected to reduce crimes during late hours of the night and maintain security.