Electricity in Nepal in 2022

In 2022, Nepal's electricity consumption was primarily comprised of low-carbon sources, with hydropower being the predominant contributor, generating about 9.67 TWh of electricity. Combined with net imports of 1.25 TWh of electricity that are also considered low-carbon, this makes a total of 9.82 TWh of low-carbon electricity, more than half of the total electricity consumption in Nepal. Given a population size considered, this electricity consumption results in approximately 356 watts per person, which is significantly lower than the global average of 3638 watts per person. This disparity can imply potential challenges for Nepal, such as limited access to technological advancements, economic constraints, and slower development in sectors relying heavily on electricity.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Nepal can draw lessons from other successful countries. For example, India has made considerable progress in solar energy generation, producing around 128 TWh. This suggests a potential for Nepal to increase its solar capacity, leveraging its abundant sunlight. Similarly, Nepal can explore wind energy, taking cues from Brazil, which excelled in wind energy, generating 102 TWh. Adopting these technologies, alongside nuclear energy, which has been a cornerstone in countries like the United States and China, could accelerate Nepal's transition to a fully low-carbon electricity system. Exploring diverse low-carbon technologies can not only enhance Nepal's electricity generation capacity but also alleviate potential vulnerabilities associated with reliance on a single energy source like hydropower.

History

Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Nepal, particularly hydropower, reveals a pattern of gradual increases over the years. In the 1990s to early 2000s, there were consistent yet modest increments, with annual increases rarely exceeding 0.3 TWh. Notably, from 2016 onwards, there were more substantial hikes, especially in 2019 and 2021, with significant jumps of 1.3 TWh and 3.4 TWh respectively. These developments highlight Nepal's persistent efforts to bolster its hydropower capacity. The continuous albeit fluctuating growth in hydropower suggests an enduring commitment to low-carbon electricity generation, which can be further bolstered by investing in diverse clean energy technologies to meet future energy demands sustainably.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources