Nepal’s first Biomass Stoves Testing Laboratory has been established at the Renewable Energy Test Station (RETS) under Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). The laboratory has been jointly inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Govind Raj Pokharel, Executive Director, Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) and Mr. Dirk Steffes-enn, First Secretary, German Embassy on 9 April 2013 amidst a ceremony organized by Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) with support from Nepal Energy Efficiency Programme (NEEP) and hosted by NAST/RETS.

Establishment of this lab helps in institutionalization of stove testing and dissemination of high quality Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS) in the country. This lab will help in measuring the efficiency, indoor air pollution, emission and safety of biomass cook stoves. This lab will also help in conducting research and human resource development. Establishment of national stove testing facility is an important building block in joint efforts in dissemination of quality stoves and creation of a sound foundation for continuous improvement of the ICS. The support for the establishment of the lab is under the component “Energy Efficiency in Households, (biomass cooking stoves)” of NEEP with AEPC as the implementing agency for the establishment and institutionalization of the “Biomass Stove Testing Laboratory” at RETS through the provision of testing equipment and training of personnel.