Electricity in Nepal in 2022

In 2022, Nepal's electricity consumption was characterized by a distinct reliance on hydropower, which contributed to close to all of the country's low-carbon electricity, amounting to around 9.7 TWh. Together with net imports, this brought total electricity consumption to around 11 TWh. The significant contribution of hydropower aligns well with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints, as it accounts for more than half of the electricity supplied in Nepal. Compared to the global average electricity consumption of approximately 3,638 watts per person, Nepal falls significantly short, highlighting its comparatively low levels of electricity generation. This shortfall can pose challenges to economic development, quality of life, and access to modern conveniences, as well as limit education and healthcare services that require consistent electricity supply.

Suggestions

To boost the generation of low-carbon electricity, Nepal can look toward diversifying its energy sources by incorporating wind and solar options, inspired by global leaders' successes. For example, China and the U.S. have made significant strides in wind and solar energy generation, producing 1003 TWh and 710 TWh, respectively, through wind power alone. Closer to Nepal's context, India has effectively harnessed solar and wind energy, generating 128 TWh from solar and 91 TWh from wind. By adopting similar strategies, such as incentivizing the establishment of solar and wind farms and investing in infrastructure, Nepal can enhance its electricity capacity while sticking to clean energy goals and combatting fossil fuel dependency.

History

Historically, Nepal's journey toward low-carbon electricity saw a steady progression in hydropower development. Starting in the early 1990s with minor increments, the country experienced a few dips, such as in 1997 and 2015, before gaining a robust increase in recent years. Notably, 2019 was a pivotal year with an impressive jump of 1.3 TWh in hydropower output, further amplified by 2021's remarkable growth of 3.4 TWh. This historical trend underscores the consistent efforts aimed at expanding sustainable energy sources, setting a foundation for future enhancements in low-carbon electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources