Caption: Lalchan, Chairperson of Gharpajhong Rural Municipality in Mustang, presented a letter of appreciation to Dr. Frank Fecher, Programme Manager of GIZ Nepal at the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme - Green Recovery and Empowerment with Energy in Nepal (REEEP-GREEN), for assisting in the development of the Municipal Energy Plan (MEP).

Through a pilot thermal retrofitting project carried out at Gharpajhong RM in Jomsom, Mustang District, situated above 2800 meters sea level, BEEN has demonstrated the significant impact of thermal retrofitting on enhancing energy efficiency in buildings and improving living and working conditions in extremely cold climates, while promoting green energy solutions.

After the thermal retrofitting of selected rooms in the Gharpajhong RM office building, indoor temperatures, which previously plummeted to as low as -23°C, even colder than the outside temperature of -19°C, now maintain an average of over 26°C during severe winters.

BEEN conducted thermal retrofitting, incorporating insulation and energy efficiency enhancements, at the Gharapjhong RM office to establish a warm and productive environment, representing a crucial milestone in local energy planning and the adoption of renewable energy.

This initiative aims to lower energy expenses and enhance climate resilience in Nepal's high-altitude regions by enhancing the energy efficiency of public buildings, converting cold spaces into comfortable work environments.

The Gharapjhong office was previously extremely cold, with staff relying on space heaters and limited sunlight for warmth. Thermal retrofitting, including wall and attic insulation, was implemented to enhance the building's thermal performance and decrease heating requirements.

Following the retrofitting, there is now a warm, energy-efficient workplace with notable improvements in comfort, reducing the municipality's dependence on inefficient heating methods.

With the support of BEEN, both financially and technically, Sun Works Nepal recently completed the work as part of a pilot energy-efficient retrofitting program in buildings.

At a ceremony held on 7 January 2026 in Jomsom, the district headquarters of Mustang, Mohan Singh Lalchan, Chairperson of Gharpajhong RM, and Ranjan Prakash Shrestha, Senior Programme Manager at the European Union Delegation to Nepal, jointly inaugurated the upgraded office room.

The newly installed system has the capability to provide thermal comfort to three additional rooms with a modest additional investment.

During his speech, Shrestha highlighted the longstanding EU-Nepal partnership that has covered various sectors over more than 50 years, including education, energy, rural development, climate change, WASH, private-sector development, governance, human rights, and democracy. He specifically mentioned the significance of EU-funded programs like BEEN under the SWITCH-Asia initiative.

Shrestha stressed the importance of proper operation, maintenance, and management of the installed system, urging both technical and non-technical municipal staff to ensure its long-term functionality.

He also pointed out that the project could serve as a replicable model for other rural municipalities, enhancing public well-being while reducing energy costs and carbon emissions.

"This project demonstrates how the EU-funded BEEN initiative assists local governments in adopting clean energy solutions, contributing to Nepal's green recovery and sustainable development goals," Shrestha concluded.

The Challenge of Cold-Climate Buildings

Constructed three years ago using concrete and cement designs inspired by warmer regions of Nepal, the three-storey municipal building neglected basic principles of thermal comfort. Consequently, office rooms became excessively cold during winter, with temperatures in Jomsom typically ranging between –10°C and –20°C, making it challenging for staff to work.

Despite improvements in electricity supply in the area and the installation of air conditioners in some rooms, such as the meeting hall and chairperson’s room, the high operating costs of these systems rendered them unaffordable for the municipality. When indoor temperatures dropped below –20°C, official work was severely disrupted.

In response to this issue, Chairperson Mohan Singh Lalchan, Vice-Chairperson Jamuna Thapa, and other elected representatives approached the BEEN project team to seek a sustainable solution for enhancing thermal comfort.

“The pilot project aims to enhance operational efficiency, establish a comfortable indoor environment, and highlight the significance of energy efficiency in buildings—especially in regions where extreme cold hampers daily activities,” stated Chairperson Lalchan.

“A room retrofitted with energy-efficient measures and a solar-thermal heating system demonstrates that our space can be warmer post-retrofitting. Even with outdoor temperatures below -16°C, the indoor temperature remained a comfortable 19°C. We are pleased with this room,” added the chairperson.

The retrofitting includes energy-efficient upgrades like wall insulation, double-glazed windows, and a solar thermal energy system. The pilot project was carried out in a ground-floor office room of approximately 25 square metres that houses the Revenue Collection Section.

This is the first time in Mustang district that a solar thermal energy-based space-heating system has been introduced through the BEEN project. The technology is expected to become more widely used in the future, promoting sustainable, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient construction.

"Building design is crucial for enabling year-round living. If health facilities and other institutions were adequately heated, they could operate all year round. Schools wouldn't have to close or relocate seasonally. With warm hotels, more visitors might be willing to travel in winter, leading to increased economic activity and development in Mustang," said Suyesh Prajapati, team leader of BEEN. "For more information about the system, interested individuals can contact us or the municipality directly."

Vice chairperson Jamuna Thapa mentioned that before the retrofitting, the room required three electric heaters, each consuming 1,400 watts. After the retrofitting, energy consumption has decreased to just 200 watts, resulting in significant long-term cost savings and health benefits.

Broader Social and Economic Impacts

During the harsh cold winter in Mustang, schools and hotels often close down completely, leading residents to temporarily migrate to lower-altitude cities like Beni and Pokhara. Schools may shut down or be relocated, and families are forced to move, causing economic and social challenges.

This seasonal migration impacts livelihoods, local development, tourism, and essential services such as health posts and birthing centers. As a result, the local economy is active for only seven to eight months each year, with Mustang largely deserted during winter, where nighttime temperatures can drop below –10°C.

The pilot project demonstrates that thermal retrofitting provides a sustainable and cost-effective solution. In the long term, it is more economical than traditional heating methods and significantly more energy-efficient.

Niraj Shrestha, Manager at Sun Works Nepal, a company that completed the retrofitting works, mentioned that while retrofitting a single room may seem expensive, the Rs. 2.5 million investment in the municipal building serves as a model for retrofitting four additional rooms. He emphasized that the thermal retrofitting technology used in the Municipality is both affordable and sustainable, and installing it in hotels could potentially alter the current pattern of tourist visits during the winter season.

The project goes beyond just providing heating and showcases climate-responsive design principles, including optimal room size, insulated walls, and double-glazed windows, all of which help to lower operational costs. These systems can also be implemented on a smaller scale in homes, schools, hospitals, and hotels, which are essential infrastructure that needs to operate year-round.

Prajapati emphasized the importance of hotels being able to offer sufficient warmth to sustain tourism in Jomsom even during the winter months . This would enable people to remain in the area, work, and contribute to the local economy throughout the entire year.

Prajapati also highlighted the impact of the winter season on Mustang, which becomes quiet and sparsely populated as many locals migrate to Pokhara and other cities to avoid the harsh winter conditions, where nighttime temperatures drop below -10 degrees. This seasonal migration not only creates financial burdens for the local population but also affects their livelihoods and the local economy.

Scaling Up Across Nepal

Following the successful thermal retrofitting of a Municipal building in Jomsom, Varagung Muktichhetra Municipality has decided to proceed with thermal retrofitting of some rooms in the municipality building in Kagbeni as well.

Chairperson Ringjing Namgyal Gurung and vice chairperson Diki Gurung have reached out to the BEEN team for technical assistance. "Given the cold temperatures, the municipality has allocated a budget for retrofitting some rooms and is seeking technical support from the project," stated chairperson Gurung. Similar to Gharapjhong Rural Municipality, Varagung Muktichhetra Municipality has also implemented an energy efficiency building code with technical guidance from BEEN.

Since its inception, the BEEN project has played a crucial role in promoting climate-resilient and energy-efficient designs in housing practices. In Thakurbaba Municipality, Bardiya, and Gosaikunda Rural Municipality, Rasuwa, BEEN has facilitated the construction of thermally comfortable homes. "Thanks to BEEN's technical assistance, we have completed a thermally comfortable room," mentioned Chairperson Lalchan. "Previously, our focus was solely on structural safety, but now thermal comfort is an integral part of our housing strategy." Nepal's diverse climatic zones, ranging from sub-zero temperatures in high mountains to scorching heat in the Terai plains, highlight the importance of ensuring thermal comfort, especially for the ultra-poor and vulnerable populations.

Policy Gaps and the Way Forward

Research has shown that thermal comfort is often neglected in the design of public offices, schools, and health facilities in Nepal. The lack of national guidelines or regulations on indoor thermal comfort has led to poorly performing modern buildings.

A study conducted as part of the BEEN project monitored indoor temperature and humidity in representative buildings in Thakurbaba and Jomsom. The results showed significant overheating for more than six months in Thakurbaba and under-heating for over seven months in Jomsom, highlighting the urgent need to enhance thermal performance and reduce active energy consumption.

Caption: Usha Manandhar Masekey from BEEN handing over the energy efficiency building code to Chairperson Lalchan

Chairperson Lalchan stated, "Well-designed and thermally comfortable spaces can enhance employee performance, service quality, and productivity. That's why we selected the revenue collection office for this pilot project."

A Model for Climate-Resilient Development

Deputy Chairperson Jamuna Thapa emphasized that the support from BEEN has facilitated the construction of energy-efficient housing for extremely poor families, including individuals with disabilities and households affected by disasters. The project also focuses on enhancing local capacity by training masons in environmentally friendly construction methods.

Deputy Chairperson Jamuna Thapa emphasized that the support from BEEN has facilitated the construction of energy-efficient homes for ultra-poor families, including flood and conflict victims, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

Thapa stated, "Thermal comfort homes incorporate various wall types, larger windows and doors, and technologies to minimize heat transfer. Energy-efficient homes offer significant advantages in our region."

Usha Maskey Manandhar, Adviser on Policy, Governance, Gender Equality, and Social Inclusion for the BEEN project, mentioned that awareness is increasing and the adoption of these practices is gaining momentum.

With collaboration from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) and funding from the EU's SWITCH-Asia Grant Programme, the BEEN project is collaborating with 60 municipalities in Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini provinces. The project, led by the University of Innsbruck, Austria, in partnership with MinErgy Pvt. Ltd., GreenTech Knowledge Solutions Pvt. Ltd., and Asociación Espa?ola de Normalización (UNE), Spain, spans four years.

The BEEN model serves as a scalable climate adaptation approach for Nepal. By incorporating its outcomes into government initiatives, Nepal can construct safer, more resilient, and thermally comfortable homes, ensuring sustainable livelihoods, improved health, and thriving local economies year-round.

The project, covering 60 municipalities in Nepal's Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces, showcases energy-efficient retrofits to enhance the environmental friendliness of buildings. The thermal retrofitting room in Jomsom demonstrates improved thermal comfort and energy efficiency, with plans to replicate these strategies in other buildings.

By Keshab Poudel