Energy Scenario of Nepal

Nepal is a small country. It is beautiful and rich in hydroelectric energy. Except Brazil, Nepal is second in world to have high potential of hydroelectricity. Besides, hydroelectricity energy ; the energy demand of Nepal is fulfilled by fossil fuels, wood , dung cake , solar energy etc.

The chief source of energy in Nepal is hydroelectricity. Nepal has a capacity of hydroelectric potential of 83000MW and economically feasible potential is 42000MW. The energy demand in Nepal is met from a combination of traditional and commercial sources such as fuel wood, agriculture residues, animal waste , solar power , hydro power , etc. An authorized survey reports (1995/96) that about 92% of the total energy consumption in Nepal is met by wood ,biomass,and dung cake . Out of this wood alone covers 69%, dung cake covers 8% and other biomass covers 15% of the total energy consumption . In addition to the wood, the dung cake and the biomass ,some people in city areas use biogas such as methane for cooking and lighting .
Though hydroelectricity energy is the most potential source of energy in Nepal , it has not been used sufficiently. However , at present time the use of hydro power energy has increased drastically . Out of total population only about 15% has been major source of energy and about 70% of the total population met their energy demand from forest products.



Nepal also depends on imported fossil fuels . Petroleum exploration is continued to identify its good reserve and a few potential sites of natural gas have been identified . For example, Kathmandu valley is known to have a reserve of Nepal natural gases . The solar and wind energy Many villages of Nepal are dependent upon the solar energy for cooking and lighting. However, wind energy has not been yet used commercially .There are about four solar station in Nepal operated in limited scale in Mugu, Humla , Sindhupalchowk and Tanahu districts . Biogas has become an important alternative energy source with potential production about 1-200 million cubic meter annually . It is also used as one of the dependable alternative source of energy in rural areas . Biogas development is promoted by government and NGO sectors . Many biogas plants have been established under the loan investment of Agriculture development bank. Biogas generation and its use is gaining important in Terai and the valleys.

The present scenario of energy supply and development in the country depicts an unbalanced picture. On an average annual energy consumption scenario is approximately 92% fuel wood including biomass , 7% fossil fuel and 1% electricity . There are significant differences in the trend of utilization in different sources of energy. Commercial energy consumption has grown in comparison to traditional fuels . Heavy dependence on firewood coupled with the high population growth rate is exerting a continuous pressure on forests. Development of the hydro power within government and the supply. Nowadays , there are establishment of many micro hydroelectric power stations, solar stations, etc. which have help to generate surplus power and will reduce people's dependence on forests . The easy policy of government encouraged Private and Foreign sectors to invest in such huge power stations.