The challenge
Due to the high altitude, difficult access and harsh temperature Ladakh faces multiple challenges regarding the access and management of energy. During the cold and long winters a substantial proportion of energy is consumed for the heating. Nevertheless Ladakh counts on important natural resources and the Government of India has set a target for a Carbon-Neutral Ladakh minimizing carbon emissions for future development endeavours.
Our approach and interventions
Through the BEEP-RE project (Building Energy Efficiency Project-renewable Energy), Switzerland supports the Indian partners in the health sector through the implementation and promotion of demonstration pilots in health centres, fostering energy efficient solutions through solar energy and geothermal heat pumps.
Another support initiative refers to the promotion of Passive Solar Heated Houses in Ladakh (PSH- project) as a heating system for local administration buildings in high altitude, which are the major energy consumers of the region. The PSH approach is also promoted as solution for the local population. The local administration already started introducing relevant features for PSH in development building bylaws and energy conservation building codes
Collaboration with key partners
The department of Health and Medical Education (DoH&ME) and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) are the key partners to jointly foster improved health services with reduced carbon emissions. The technical partners for the project implementation are the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh (HIAL), TERI and University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW).
