The Nepal Weekly 
February 11, 2025
In the recent days, Government authorities, energy experts and professionals have discussed on importance and scopes of clean energy technologies for Nepal. They also discussed on the progress done so far and potentials. Likewise, constraints and remedies are also discussed extensively to develop the technologies in line with global narratives established by IPCC reports, COPs, NDCs, SDG and so on.
Moreover, financial constraints and technology transfer are identified as major issues that Nepal has to tap out of domestic resources and extensively by external sources.
Clean energy is crucial for Nepal because it can significantly improve access to electricity in remote areas, mitigate the impacts of climate change the country faces due to its mountainous terrain, boost economic development by creating jobs in the renewable energy sector, and contribute to a sustainable future by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and associated pollution.
One of the reasons is, a sizable portion of Nepal’s population lacks access to reliable electricity, particularly in rural areas. Developing clean energy sources like solar and hydropower can provide power to these communities, improving living standards and enabling access to essential services like healthcare and education.
The other reason is, Nepal is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts like glacial retreat and extreme weather events. Transitioning to clean energy sources, which produce minimal greenhouse gas emissions, helps reduce the country’s contribution to global warming.
Another reason is, investing in renewable energy development can create new jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of clean energy technologies, stimulating economic growth.
Moreover, by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, clean energy can significantly improve air quality and reduce harmful pollutants, leading to improved public health. Likewise, promoting clean energy aligns with Nepal’s commitment to sustainable development goals, promoting a balanced approach between economic growth and environmental protection.
The Government of Nepal Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and other agencies concerned are saying that hydropower projects operated in Nepal have been generating nearly 3,400 megawatt of electricity (as based on installed capacity, which is applicable in wet season). So as Solar PV plants are also generating electricity. But, it is very little in comparison to the electricity generated hydropower plants. The reason is very simple as the Government agencies are not much aligned to electricity generated by Solar technology. The policy for energy mix is not wide for other than hydropower technology as well, as the policy says that five to 10 percent of electricity generated by other than hydro is to be permitted.
The Government authorities and stakeholders appreciated the achievements of Nepal so far in deployment of RETs. Electrifications to 98 percent of households of the country so far was the key information shared. Likewise, it is also disclosed that the remaining household which cannot be connected by the national grid will be electrified by alternative energy technologies.
In the meantime, the Government agency responsible for promotion and development disclosed that since the establishment of AEPC, till the end of 2080/81, 40,253 kW micro and small hydropower projects, 11,104 improved watermill installations, 996,647 Solar Home Systems, 4,332 Institutional Solar Energy Systems, 3,097 kW peak Solar Mini-grid, Solar Wind Mini-grid installations, 18,293 kW Peak Solar Rooftop, 2,464 Solar Dryer and Cooker installations, 3,691 Solar Water and Irrigation Pumps, 1,32,211 Metal Improved Stoves, 33 institutional gasifiers, 59,385 electric stoves, 4,50,770 Household biogas, 14,23,242 improved clay stoves, 369 institutional, urban and commercial biogas, 1766 productive uses of energy, 3309 solar street lights and 4758 monasteries, temples and homestays have been installed.
International Day of Clean Energy observed recently on January 26 was a key event that created knowledge sharing waves on promotion and development of renewable energy technologies in Nepal’s context. It had also disseminated ample message in the political, academic and socioeconomic spheres.
The knowledge sharing events dealt on technologies available for development and promotion of RETs. In context to Nepal, electricity generation by Solar PV technology was much talked as ‘second best option’ for Nepal after hydro.
Moreover, the Solar PV technology in the global scenario, it has moved ahead with now technologies such as agrivoltaic, transparent Solar panels and vertical solar panel. These innovations can contribute a versatile solution for Nepal. Agrivoltaic which has been implemented in Nepal in a minimal scale, can generates electricity by 80 percent of tradition laying out of panels on surface while agricultural yield is also 80 percent in a normal condition. That means farmland can be used for electricity generation and farming both. Similarly, vertical panel also can contribute to reduce space used to elevate for laying of panels for agrivoltaic and reduce cost of other materials. Likewise, transparent Solar panel can reduce to space requirement.
Borrowing of such innovative technologies, research on viability in Nepal’s context and resource of investment were needed to be brought out in the light as ‘serious agenda’ in the discussions.
It is also to mention that the responsible authorities are taking care of the people those identified as ‘not possible’ to be accessed by the national grid transmission to provide electricity by Solar home systems. That means they will get ‘just electricity’ while those who get electricity by national grid will get desired amount of electricity. So it may be a question that why not solar home systems thought to provide should be capable to use in all necessary domestic works such as operating TV, Radio, Computer, mobile charging, cooking food, fridge and so on. If the comment is positive they will require 1kw capacity of panel and 3 kwh capacity battery for energy storage at least for a single household.
Therefore, change in thought pattern has been a need keeping in view the social justice, climate change effects, environment protection, reduce consumption of imported fuel such as kerosene and LPG. However, money matter may be heavier than availability of technology which will need to be handled carefully.
