In 2022, electricity consumption in Nepal predominantly relied on low-carbon sources, with hydropower contributing the vast majority at approximately 10.6 TWh, out of a total low-carbon generation of 10.7 TWh. This is more than half of Nepal's total electricity consumption, demonstrating a strong reliance on clean energy. In comparison, the global average electricity consumption was 3649 kWh per person, significantly higher than Nepal's 377 kWh per person. Such lower levels of electricity consumption could lead to several challenges, such as slower economic development, limited access to modern technologies, and a reduced quality of life, given that electricity is a critical driver of societal advancement and modern conveniences.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources โ
Is Electricity Growing in Nepal?
There is positive news regarding the growth of electricity consumption in Nepal. In 2022, electricity consumption saw a modest increase to 377 kWh per person from the previous record of 362 kWh per person in 2021. The low-carbon electricity generation also experienced growth, rising to 360 kWh per person, from 327 kWh per person the previous year. These increases, albeit modest, suggest a trend towards better access to electricity and a stronger commitment to low-carbon sources, which is encouraging for a sustainable, clean energy future.
Suggestions
To further enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Nepal can draw inspiration from successful regions. For instance, the People's Republic of China and the United States have made significant strides in solar and wind energy, with China generating over 1100 TWh with solar and 1090 TWh with wind, and the US generating 366 TWh with solar and 456 TWh with wind. Considering these achievements, Nepal should consider scaling up its solar capacity, drawing lessons from regions with substantial solar generation like India and Japan. Additionally, while not currently present in Nepal, exploring the adoption of nuclear energy could provide a reliable and stable baseload of clean electricity, as evidenced by countries like France and states like Illinois in the US.
History
Over the past few decades, Nepal has shown a steady increase in low-carbon electricity generation, primarily fueled by hydropower. In the 1990s, gradual incremental growth was observed, with a yearly increase ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 TWh. The early 2000s continued this trend with additional contributions. Throughout the 2010s, increases became more prominent with significant boosts in 2016, 2019, and notably in 2021, marking the largest annual increase of 3.3 TWh. The expansion trend continued into 2022 with a growth of 1.1 TWh, highlighting Nepal's ongoing commitment to developing its hydropower potential as part of a broader effort to meet electricity demands sustainably.
