KATHMANDU: Experts and participants discussed various facets of Nepal’s energy sector, including historical developments, current achievements, electricity usage, consumption patterns, the potential for alternative energy sources, and challenges in electricity transmission and distribution.
Taking part in an interaction jointly organized by ISET Nepal and Asia Foundation at the Pavilion Hall, Durbar Marga in Kathmandu on Wednesday, participants highlighted areas needing government attention and improvement.
Ajay Dixit, the team leader of ISET Nepal, delivered a presentation on energy security and NDC progress in Nepal.
He noted that Nepal’s energy sector has seen considerable advancement over the past 30 years.
Dixit highlighted a decrease in fuel usage and a gradual rise in hydropower and other renewable energy sources, including solar energy.
Similarly, he also pointed out that per capita electricity consumption has now reached 380 kilowatts.
Despite this progress, Dixit criticized the government’s lack of enthusiasm for promoting and developing solar grid technology as a policy priority.
Similarly, Dr. Narayan Prasad Chaulagai, senior energy expert at the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program – Green Recovery and Empowerment with Energy in Nepal, underscored that achieving the country’s expected energy prosperity is unattainable without ensuring robust energy security.
While giving his presentation, he said that for energy security, attention should be paid to the reliable supply, production and distribution of electricity.
He argued that the state of economic development of the country should not be considered good if people increase energy consumption.
Stating that per capita electricity consumption in Nepal is low internationally, he said in a report that an average of 2000 kilowatts of electricity is required per person per year.
In the program, Man Maya Bhattarai Pangeni, joint secretary of the National Planning Commission, looking after the infrastructure and energy sector, said that while the government is emphasizing only on electricity production in Nepal, questions are being raised about the quality of consumers.
She said that while improving the quality of electricity, it is necessary to change the tariff rate on time.
She further argued that the issue of non-fixation of electricity tariffs for a long time and lack of quality electricity should also be looked into.
Taking part in the interaction, Laxmi Jha, Senior Division Engineer at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, highlighted a concerning trend: despite the government’s strategic focus on energy sector production, transmission, and distribution, the allocated budget has been decreasing annually.
Jha pointed out that while there are plans to drive national prosperity through energy advancements, the funds required for crucial investments continue to dwindle.
She noted that due to insufficient resource assurance, progress on hydropower projects and improvements in transmission and distribution lines has not met expectations.
Ranjan Bhatta, Senior Climate Action Officer at The Asia Foundation, commended the discussion for addressing positive and important topics.
The program saw participation from 20 individuals across various fields, with Anustha Shrestha, Program Coordinator at ISET Nepal, delivering the welcome speech.
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