Hydrogen energy can contribute to the economic prosperity of the country

Experts and professionals emphasized that hydrogen energy can contribute to the economic prosperity of the country. They talked on possibilities of hydrogen fuel to export from Nepal. Addressing the global interest in development of non-fossil fuel to combat climate change effects, they focused on ‘Discussion on the Commercialization of Hydrogen Energy in the Context of Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges’ at an event organised by Nepal Energy Foundation on Sunday in Lalitpur.

Chairman of the Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital, said that subsidized loans and grants can help develop hydrogen energy in Nepal in the initial stage.

“The government also had formulated a hydrogen polic, it should be used as a basis for the production of hydrogen energy. There is a need to prove and show the message to the government that Nepal is possible by doing a pilot project,” he said. Nawa Raj Dhakal, executive director of Alternative Energy Promotion Center, said that we should collaborate

Chairman of the Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital, said that subsidized loans and grants can help develop hydrogen energy in Nepal in the initial stage.

“The government also had formulated a hydrogen polic, it should be used as a basis for the production of hydrogen energy. There is a need to prove and show the message to the government that Nepal is possible by doing a pilot project,” he said.

Nawa Raj Dhakal, executive director of Alternative Energy Promotion Center, said that we should collaborate to advance renewable energy.

He said that the micro hydropower projects built in Nepal should be connected to the national grid to make it sustainable. He said that if some improvements are to be made, 1,500 to 1,800 micro hydropower plants in the country can be connected to the national grid.

He said that micro hydropower technology was initiated in Nepal when the country had only 20 percent were electrified. Now MHPs, those which are possible should be connected to the national grid.

Sher Singh Bhat, vice president of NEF, said that every year Nepal has to spend a total of Rs 370 billion on energy import and said that energy import should be replaced by producing energy in the country.

He mentioned that hydrogen energy is important to prevent air pollution caused by fossil fuels and the climate change effects, and said that Nepal can benefit from hydrogen energy. However, he mentioned that the cost of production should be preferable as of other energy technologies. Thus, electricity which is the basic element for generating hydrogen should be cheaper to suite.

Achyuta Babu Ghimire, manager at Nepal Electricity Authority, mentioned that there is an opportunity for hydrogen energy in Nepal and emphasized that it should be used with care in storage and distribution management. Addressing the global interest and concern, he opined the view that not only hydropower but also hydrogen can be exported.

Chairman of NEF Mohan das Manandhar, said that a separate regulatory body is needed for hydrogen energy and renewable energy. Utilising carbon fund can be instrumental, he added.

Dilli Ghimire, managing director of NEF said that the organization aims to bring forward issues that have not been covered in the energy sector. He mentioned that the purpose of the organization is to persuade the government to attract the private sector to work towards this by starting a discussion about the potential, feasibility, price and market of hydrogen fuel in Nepal.

On the same occasion, a book on ‘Practice of micro hydropower and sustainable operation’ was launched by the chief guest and other personalities. The book is authored by Krishna Adhikari, who has been engaged in renewable energy journalism for a long period.

The book covers various aspects related to Nepal’s micro hydropower sector including technology developed in Nepal and fabricating of turbines, pipes, and other essential parts in Nepal by local technical persons, survey, construction, installation, repair and maintenance. The book elaborates governmental policies, financial and managerial aspects as well. (By R.P. Narayan)