- Asked 2/23
- 2080 Chaitra · 4 marks
- 2068 Magh · 5 marks
Conventional vs renewable energy for generation
Short answer
Conventional resources (coal, oil, gas, nuclear) are finite, have high fuel cost and pollute; renewable resources (hydro, solar, wind) are naturally replenished, have no fuel cost, and low pollution. Nepal’s grid is dominated by hydro, a renewable source.
Compare conventional energy resources and renewable energy resources from the perspective of electricity generation.
Conventional resources are fossil and nuclear fuels (coal, oil, natural gas, uranium) that are finite and are used mainly in large thermal/nuclear plants. Renewable resources are naturally replenished (water, sun, wind, biomass, geothermal) and do not run out.
| Basis | Conventional | Renewable |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Limited, will deplete | Unlimited, replenished by nature |
| Fuel cost | High and recurring, price fluctuates | Nil (except biomass) |
| Initial cost | Moderate per kW | Often high per kW (hydro civil works, solar panels) |
| Pollution | CO₂, SO₂, NOx, ash, radioactive waste | Little or no emission during operation |
| Output control | Dispatchable, steady, easy to control | Solar/wind intermittent; hydro varies with season |
| Plant size | Large, centralised (hundreds of MW) | From kW (micro-hydro, rooftop solar) to large hydro |
| Location | Near fuel source or load | Fixed by resource (river, windy site) |
| Efficiency | Thermal 30–40 % | Hydro 85–90 %, solar PV 15–22 % |
| Gestation | Shorter for gas/diesel | Long for big hydro, short for solar |
| Examples | Coal plant, diesel plant, nuclear | Hydro, solar PV, wind, biomass |
Nepal context
Nepal has no significant fossil fuel, so almost all its grid electricity comes from hydropower (a renewable source), with growing solar. Diesel plants are only used for backup. Conventional sources would mean importing fuel, so renewable generation is both cheaper in the long run and more secure for Nepal.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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