Abstract

Power generation, predominantly coming from run-of-river type hydropower plants, has fallen short of demand in Nepal. The shortage is acute during the dry post-monsoon months, when river flows are at their minimum. Huge amount of fossil fuel is used to generate power during shortages. Large hydroelectric projects are under construction, but many natural and man-made factors have delayed their construction by years. A survey of the measured wind speed, incoming solar radiation and river water discharge at various sites in Nepal has been done. Wind and solar energy potentials have been found to be high during the dry season, when hydropower generation is low. River flow, and consequently, the hydropower generation is high during the monsoon season, at which time wind speed and solar radiation are very low. With a well-planned transmission system, wind and solar power could compensate reduced hydropower generation during the seasons with low water flow in rivers. In the short term, installing wind and solar energy technologies- which have short gestation periods- is observed to be the right choice. Such a power system, with wind and solar power complementing hydroelectricity, has the potential to save capital and reduce carbon emissions for Nepal.

Highlights

  • 1.1 Power AvailabilityThe availability of power in Nepal can be best seen from the hours of power cut imposed round the year

  • Electricity Authority (NEA), a government owned agency responsible for generation, transmission and distribution, and Independent Power Producers (IPP), which comprises of private entrepreneurs

  • 6 implies that power production potential of many hydropower plants in Nepal is high during highdischarge months

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Summary

Power Availability

The availability of power in Nepal can be best seen from the hours of power cut imposed round the year. This indicates that the many run-of-river hydropower plants, Kaligandaki ‘A’ being the biggest one, determine the monthly and seasonal power production pattern of NEA. The existing storage hydropower projects and the thermal plants are not sufficient at all, resulting in a huge deficit This is obvious in the load-shedding patterns of Figure 1, with more than eighty hours/week of power cuts in the winter (Jan-Feb) and severe load-shedding in spring (Mar-Apr) as well

Suggested Solutions
Discharge Seasonality
Fluctuating annual production
Potential Landslide Effects
Prolonged development
Solar Potential
Wind Potential
Comparison
Fossil Fuel Costs
Conclusions
13 References and Notes
Full Text
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