'Solar energy must to address energy crisis'

KATHMANDU:

Generating solar photovoltaic power to address the existing energy crisis could save the government around Rs 50 billion, which is being spent annually as subsidies for petroleum products, experts working on the alternative energy sector said.

In a workshop organised today in the Capital to discuss the scope and policy constraints of solar energy generation from photovoltaic system, representatives from the government and private developers opined that solar energy is the most basic means to solve the power crisis as well as lowering the escalating cost of petroleum products.

As addressed in the programmes and policies of the government for fiscal year 2014-15, the government is now preparing to introduce a policy statement, incorporating it in the new budget, for purchasing solar power from the private sector to meet the energy needs of the country.

“There will be some provisions regarding promotion of solar energy as addressed recently in the national policy and programmes,” said National Planning Commission Vice-chairman Govind Raj Pokhrel. He opined that hydropower is still a mega dream for Nepal, but that tapping its full potential will require at least a decade.

“So, the other alternative source is solar,” said Pokhrel, informing that the private sector has been proposing to supply solar power at Rs 10 per unit to make it affordable.

Bankers and private sector players urged the government to implement favourable policies and make appropriate provisions for subsidies in bank loans regarding solar energy to attract investors.

Highlighting the growing cost in importing petroleum products, Amrit Man Nakarmi, professor at Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk, argued that the government could avoid spending Rs 26 billion in petro products being used to generate electricity and Rs 23 billion from LP gas imports, once the need is replaced by solar power.

“Installing solar power systems to fill in the energy gaps will cost an estimated total of Rs 34 billion, with a payback period of less than two years. This will save the fuel cost amounting to Rs 528 billion over the next 20 years,” said Nakarmi.

According to studies, every household from mid-hill and high-hill regions of Nepal can generate an average of 5 KW of solar electricity. Initially, the government is encouraging private developers and investors to install solar panels in households within Kathmandu Valley. The government is trying to introduce this programme through a public-private partnership model.

“We are trying to make energy more accessible, affordable and sustainable,” said Krishna Chandra Paudel, secretary at Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

Source: THT