In 2022, electricity consumption in Nepal reached a level of over 10 TWh, with low-carbon sources such as hydropower making up virtually all of this generation. Hydropower alone contributed 10.59 TWh, closely aligning with the total low-carbon generation of 10.7 TWh, highlighting its dominance. As Nepal leans heavily on clean energy sources, the country's electricity consumption per person stood slightly above 370 kWh. Despite these clean energy efforts, this figure is considerably less than the global average of 3,412 kWh per person. This gap suggests that Nepal's lower electricity consumption could limit economic growth, hinder technological advancement, and restrict improvements in living standards compared to countries with higher electricity availability.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Nepal?
The trajectory of Nepal's electricity consumption indicates modest growth. From 2021 to 2022, per-person consumption nudged upwards from 362 kWh to 377 kWh. This increase of 14 kWh per person reflects growth, albeit slow. Meanwhile, low-carbon electricity generation increased from 327 kWh to 360 kWh per person during the same timeframe, marking a rise of 33 kWh. Such growth in clean electricity generation underscores Nepal's ongoing commitment to sustainable power, though the overall pace of growth should be accelerated to more robustly meet future demands and ensure the progression of electrification.
Suggestions
For Nepal to elevate its low-carbon electricity generation, initiatives leveraging solar and nuclear power should be prioritized. Drawing inspiration from regions such as India, which generated 166 TWh from solar energy, and countries like the United States with 784 TWh from nuclear energy, Nepal can amplify its clean energy output. The People's Republic of China offers another potent example with impressive solar (1,170 TWh) and wind (1,130 TWh) generation, proving that scaling up these technologies is achievable. By exploring these options, Nepal can diversify its low-carbon portfolio, enhance energy independence, and safeguard against the adverse impacts of fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Nepal's hydroelectric output has witnessed various phases of expansion. Starting in the 1990s, hydropower increased slightly each year, with notable continuity in growth. However, a slight decline occurred in 1997 and a more pronounced dip in 2015. Since 2016, momentum shifted positively with a remarkable increase of 3.4 TWh in 2021, followed by a healthy boost of 1.1 TWh in 2022. These advances reinforce hydropower's crucial role in Nepal's electricity generation journey and underscore the necessity of further investment and innovation to sustain positive growth and explore newer clean energy avenues.
