Why is Nepal building micro hydro plants?

The government of Nepal, with the assistance of the World Bank has been helping build micro hydro plants across rural Nepalese communities. The plants are built and run by the communities, enabling sustainability, and bring much-needed electricity that powers industry and businesses.

When did micro hydropower begin in Nepal?

Micro hydropower in Nepal began with the Pharping plant, which had an installed capacity of 500 kW in 1911. This was followed by the Sundarijal and Panauti plants in 1936 and 1965, respectively. Up to 1980, the focus was primarily on large-scale power generation through large hydro and thermal means, and the micro-hydro potential remained untapped.

What is micro-hydropower in Nepal?

In Nepal, micro-hydropower refers to electricity generation using hydropower at less than 100 kW [ 8 ]. A typical micro-hydropower plant (MHP) is shown in Figure 1. There are approximately 3300 community-owned and community-operated MHPs installed in Nepal [ 9 ].

How many microhydro plants are there in Nepal?

As of 2018, about 3000 micro hydroelectric plants have been installed in Nepal, contributing about 35 MW.

Does Nepal need a micro hydropower catchment area?

Abstract: Nepal is known for its successful rural electrification efforts through community owned and managed standalone micro hydropower projects (MHP) that have helped transform its rural economy. Unfortunately, as soon as the national grid reaches a micro hydro catchment area, things start falling apart.

What is AEPC doing in Nepal?

Throughout Nepal, AEPC has facilitated the construction of over 1,000 micro-hydro plants in 52 districts, repeating the success of Darbang throughout Nepal. With its inclusive community driven model, the micro hydro initiative in Nepal is meeting energy needs of rural communities, and powering their economic development.