Hydro energy for Nepal's development

In my opinion, hydropower is the most important and realistic energy resource for the development of Nepal.

Why hydropower suits Nepal

• Nepal has steep rivers and large water volume from Himalayan snow melt and monsoon rain: about 83,000 MW theoretical potential and about 42,000 MW economically feasible, of which only a small part (more than 3,000 MW installed) has been developed so far.
• It is clean, renewable, low-cost to operate and long-lived. It reduces dependence on imported petroleum and coal, and so improves the trade balance.
• Surplus electricity can be exported to India and Bangladesh, bringing foreign exchange and revenue for development; this is already happening in the monsoon season under NEA and private developers.
• Cheap electricity can replace LPG and petrol through induction stoves and electric vehicles, and can power industry, irrigation and tourism.
• Small and micro-hydro give electricity to remote villages (AEPC programmes), improving education, health and income.
• Reservoir and pumped-storage projects can also provide irrigation, flood control and dry-season power.

What should be done

• Complete projects on time; improve transmission and distribution networks; reduce losses.
• Develop storage projects so that dry-season shortages are met, and balance wet-season surplus.
• Careful planning for environmental, landslide and earthquake risks, with fair benefit sharing and resettlement for local people.
• Stable policy, quick licensing, and use of domestic expertise and finance.
• Combine with solar and other renewables.

If these are done, hydropower can help Nepal graduate from least developed country (LDC) status towards a higher-income economy, and support the goal of net-zero emissions by 2045.