---
title: "Renewable sources and least suitable for Nepal"
subject: "Power System Analysis I"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_4/power_system_analysis_i:renewable-sources-least-suitable-nepal"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/power_system_analysis_i/renewable-sources-least-suitable-nepal
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Renewable sources and least suitable for Nepal

Power System Analysis I · Chapter 1: General Background

- Asked in: 2076 Baisakh, 6 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/power_system_analysis_i/renewable-sources-least-suitable-nepal
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_4/power_system_analysis_i/chapter-1

## Question

What do you mean by renewable energy sources? Write with examples. Which one is least suitable for our country? Support your answer.

## Short answer

Renewable energy sources are naturally replenished and inexhaustible, such as hydropower, solar, wind and biomas. For Nepal, tidal energy is impossible because it is landlocked; among feasible sources, geothermal is least suitable due to low-temperature hot springs that cannot generate power economically.

## Answer

**Renewable energy sources** are sources that are naturally replenished on a human time scale and do not get exhausted by use. They cause little pollution and their "fuel" is free.

#### Examples
| Source | How electricity is produced | Example in Nepal |
|---|---|---|
| Hydropower | Water head turns turbine | Kali Gandaki A, Upper Tamakoshi |
| Solar | PV cells convert sunlight | Nuwakot (Devighat) 25 MW solar, rooftop PV |
| Wind | Wind turns rotor | Small pilot turbines (Nawalparasi, Dhaulagiri) |
| Biomass/biogas | Burn or digest organic matter | Household biogas, bagasse in sugar mills |
| Geothermal | Earth heat drives turbine | Hot springs only, not used for power |
| Tidal/wave | Sea tides drive turbine | Not possible |

#### Least suitable for Nepal
**Tidal (and wave/ocean) energy is least suitable** — Nepal is a landlocked country with no sea coast, so it cannot be used at all.

Among sources that physically exist in Nepal, **geothermal** (and large-scale wind) are the least suitable:
- **Geothermal:** Nepal has hot springs (Tatopani, Jumla, Myagdi), but their temperatures are low (below about 75 °C) and capacity is small, suitable only for bathing or heating, not for power.
- **Wind:** Wind speeds are good only in a few remote high-altitude places (e.g. Mustang) far from load and grid, with difficult transport and turbulent mountain wind.

By contrast, Nepal's steep rivers give huge hydropower potential (about 83,000 MW theoretical, ~43,000 MW economically feasible) and about 300 sunny days a year favour solar. So hydro and solar are the most suitable, while tidal (absent) and geothermal are the least.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is a renewable energy source?
   A. Naturally replenished on a human time scale, not exhausted by use
   B. Fossil fuel that is cheap
   C. Source needing imports
   D. Source with high pollution
   Answer: A. Water, sun, wind etc. are replenished. (Key point: Definition)

2. Which is least suitable for Nepal?
   A. Hydropower
   B. Tidal/wave energy
   C. Solar
   D. Biogas
   Answer: B. Nepal is landlocked with no sea coast. (Key point: Least suitable)

3. Why is geothermal unsuitable for power in Nepal?
   A. No hot springs exist
   B. Too hot to use
   C. Hot spring temperatures are low (below about 75 C) and capacity small
   D. Needs a coast
   Answer: C. They suit bathing and heating, not generation. (Key point: Geothermal limit)

4. Why is hydro the most suitable?
   A. Flat rivers
   B. Sea tides
   C. Large coal deposits
   D. Steep rivers give about 83,000 MW theoretical potential
   Answer: D. Nepal's steep rivers give huge hydro potential. (Key point: Hydro potential)

## Related in Power System Analysis I

- [Types of renewable energy sources](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fpower_system_analysis_i%3Arenewable-energy-types) — Power System Analysis I, chapter 1
- [Conventional vs renewable energy for generation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fpower_system_analysis_i%3Aconventional-vs-renewable-generation) — Power System Analysis I, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [Conventional vs non-conventional sources with schematic](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fpower_system_analysis_i%3Aconventional-vs-nonconventional-sources-schematic) — Power System Analysis I, chapter 1
- [Conventional sources and features of a station](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fpower_system_analysis_i%3Aconventional-sources-features) — Power System Analysis I, chapter 1

## Related in other subjects

- [Energy sources in Nepal and wind scope](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fpower_plant_design%3Aenergy-sources-nepal-wind) — Power Plant Design, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [Is firewood in Nepal renewable?](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fpower_plant_design%3Afirewood-renewable-nepal) — Power Plant Design, chapter 1, asked 4×
- [Renewable energy and trapping solar energy](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aenergy-renewable-solar-066j) — Building Technology, chapter 1
- [Nepal least responsible but most affected](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Anepal-least-responsible-cc) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 6