Nepal hydro power potential remains just that, no more

KATHMANDU, FEB 19: 

With potential exceeding 80,000 Megawatts , the country is reeling under power cuts that exceeds daylight hours. With snail-paced hydropower development loadshedding is bound to increase. 

Less than 10 Megawatts of electricity is connected to the national grid every year, while demand for energy goes up by more than 100 Megawatts. To meet the increasing demand, the country needs at least about 1,000 MW in the next two years. 

However, all big projects under construction face various problems. Some large projects like Upper Karnali (900 MW) are mired in dispute with UCPN-M, whereas West Seti (750 MW), is yet to receive fund for construction. 

The pace of work on hydro projects in the last few years is indeed depressing. In the last two decades, the country produced only 300 MW. 

Politicians blame the political transition; bureaucrats say the problem lies with political parties and their lack of commitment to promotion of hydel projects. 

The government had formulated national electricity crisis solution work plan in 2008. The thirty-five-point work plan envisaged specific roles and timeline for completing works to reduce power cuts. Unfortunately, neither have the datelines been met nor is there any progress in work. 

One plan, meant to be implemented instantly, was to establish a 200 MW thermal power plant. The deadline for this was May 2009, but till date, nothing has been done. 

The government has repeatedly failed to meet the targets it set up and not a single commitment has been fulfiled in three years. 

The country desperately needs power. It needs about 2,500 MW additional electricity in the next five years to meet the increasing demand. 

Interestingly, the country is now negotiating power purchase deals with India to reduce power cut hours. Recently, the energy minister held talks with his Indian counterpart for purchase of 200 MW. Nepal imports about 100 MW at present through different channels.

Source: THT