Swanbarton visits Nepal to support ground-breaking Microgrid Project

James Hancock and David Mutch from Swanbarton recently returned from a productive trip to Nepal, supporting the UNIDO-funded Grid Resilience through Intelligent Photovoltaics and Storage Phase 2 (GRIPS2) project.

GRIPS2 will install a 2MW/4MWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery energy storage system (BESS) alongside 1MWp of PV solar at the Laxmi Steels foundry in Sunwal, Nepal. Swanbarton is proud to be working in partnership with two exceptional organisations:

Gham Power, a leading energy service company (ESCO) and Nepal’s foremost PV installer and operations provider.

Practical Action, a global development charity committed to sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience for communities experiencing poverty.

The team visiting the furnaces at Laxmi Steels

Swanbarton’s role is focused on implementing a state-of-the-art Microgrid Management System (MMS). This MMS will optimise energy flows between the battery, PV arrays, and backup generators, intelligently managing load shedding to minimise fuel usage and substantially reduce energy costs for the foundry. Beyond immediate energy savings, the system will demonstrate to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) the tangible value of demand-side response (DSR) and other grid support services from large industrial energy consumers—crucial for Nepal’s long-term grid resilience.

Laxmi Steels casting machine control room

The recent visit centred around:

• Installation of advanced monitoring equipment at the factory.

• Conducting detailed baseline assessments, vital for accurately measuring and understanding existing CO₂ emissions and energy use patterns. This data collection supports the project's submission for carbon credits under the voluntary carbon market (VCM), potentially unlocking significant financial support for future net-zero initiatives.

• Finalising the system design and operational requirements, ensuring seamless integration with the existing factory infrastructure.

We’re pleased to report that the visit was highly successful—hardware was installed efficiently, and the Laxmi Steels team was exceptionally supportive, sharing insights about their operational challenges.

Anjal talking to investors and factory owners about how PV integration reduces energy bills

During the trip, James and David also visited additional factory installations by Gham Power and spoke to potential customers about how Swanbarton’s innovative technology at Laxmi Steels could benefit their operations. They engaged with venture capital investors to build relationships crucial for financing future projects—an essential step for turning ambitious energy projects into reality.

Gham Power PV installation at pipe making factory in Butwal region in Nepal

In addition to the technical and strategic elements of the trip, the team enjoyed exploring Nepal’s cultural heritage, including staying near Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. The warm hospitality and excellent food provided by our colleagues at Gham Power and Practical Action added another layer of enjoyment to this successful visit.

The Pakari Tree – the oldest tree in Nepal. It is thought to be over 2600 years old.

Swanbarton is privileged to collaborate with such outstanding international partners on a project showcasing the power and potential of smart energy systems in Nepal’s industrial landscape. We eagerly look forward to the next phase: installing the battery and turning this ambitious vision into reality.

Stay tuned for further updates!