As of 2022, Nepal's electricity consumption was dominated by low-carbon sources, with hydropower contributing almost all of the 10.7 TWh of clean electricity generated. Unfortunately, despite this impressive usage of low-carbon electricity, Nepal's electricity consumption per capita stood at just 377 kWh per person. This consumption level is significantly below the global average of 3,781 kWh per person, pointing to a major challenge for the country as low levels of electricity can hinder economic development, limit access to modern conveniences, and slow down the pace of digital infrastructure development. In addition, Nepal's dependency on low-carbon energy indicates a promising path forward, but the stark disparity in per capita consumption compared to the global average suggests the need for significant augmentation in both total electricity generation and consumption to foster sustainable growth.
Is Electricity Growing in Nepal?
Electricity consumption in Nepal has witnessed a modest growth, indicating a positive trend towards increasing energy use. From the previous record of 362 kWh per person in 2021, it rose to 377 kWh per person in 2022, marking a small increment of 14 kWh per person. Even more encouraging, the generation of low-carbon electricity grew from 327 kWh per person in 2021 to 360 kWh per person in 2022. This growth of 33 kWh per person not only signifies progress but also reflects Nepal's commitment to expanding its clean energy base. Despite these advances, it remains crucial for Nepal to accelerate its growth rate in electricity consumption, particularly from low-carbon sources, to align with the global push for greener energy solutions.
Suggestions
To achieve a substantial increase in low-carbon electricity generation, Nepal can learn from various successful countries that have prioritized solar, wind, and nuclear energy. For instance, the People's Republic of China and the United States have significant solar and nuclear energy productions, respectively, with China generating 890 TWh from solar and the U.S. producing 781 TWh from nuclear. Similarly, countries like India and Brazil have notable wind energy generation, with India producing 94 TWh and Brazil 111 TWh. By adopting strategies to harness these technologies—especially solar and nuclear—Nepal could expand its energy base sustainably. This initiative not only promises to uplift Nepal's energy security but also propels it toward achieving higher levels of per capita electricity consumption.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity generation in Nepal, the growth primarily centered around hydropower has been steady since the 1990s. In the early 1990s, incremental gains such as 0.4 TWh in 1990 and 0.2 TWh in 1995 set the stage for gradual expansion. Despite some fluctuations, such as a slight decline in 1997, the trend was predominantly positive. Particularly noteworthy are the impressive increases in 2019 with 1.3 TWh and in 2021 when hydropower surged by 3.4 TWh, reflecting significant advancements in clean electricity generation. This historical pattern signifies Nepal's potential in expanding its low-carbon electricity, provided it continues to improve its infrastructure and leverage insights from successful global examples.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.