Rural Electrification - National Objectives, Targets and Key Players (National Water Plan)

National water plan

Water is one of the principal physical resources which can play a vital role in the overall development of a nation. More than 6000 rivers flow through our nation which enables us to boast a great power generation capacity compared to the small size of our nation. Sustainable development and proper harvesting of water resources can aid in poverty alleviation and promote the economic growth of our nation. In order to realize the capacity of water resources of Nepal, the government of Nepal (back then, it was HMGN - His Majesty's Government of Nepal) started formulating WRS (Water Resources Strategy) in 1992 which was approved in 2002.

In order to implement the activities identifies by WRS, the WECS (Water and Energy Commission Secretariat) started formulating National Water Plan in 2002 which was approved by the government in 2005.

Physical setting of Nepal

Area of Nepal: 1, 87,181 sq. km

Physiographic regions: 5 (High Himalayas, Less Himalayas, Mahabharat Range, Churia Range, Terai)

Elevation: 59 m (Lowest-Musaharniya, Dhanusa) to 8, 848 m (Highest-Mt. Everest)

Minimum span: 200 km

Average annual rainfall: 1, 530 mm

Social setting of Nepal according to CBS (Central Bureau of Statistics) reports 2011

Total number of caste and ethnic groups: 125 Total number of languages: 123

Religion: Hinduism (81.3%), Buddhism (9%), Islam (4.4%), Kirat (3.4%), Christianity (1.4%), Others (0.4%)

Population: 26.49 million (Urban-4.52 million and Rural-21.97 million)

Average population density: 180 per sq. km (4, 416 per sq km in Kathmandu and 3 per sq. km in Manang)

Human Development Index: 0.46

Access to drinking water supply: 82.8%

Population below poverty line: 23.8%

Expected population by 2026: 37.7 million (Urban-12 million and Rural-25.8 million)

Economic setting of Nepal

Population engaged in agriculture: 76%

Agriculture growth rate: 3.6%

Non-agriculture growth rate: 4.2%

Information regarding the water resources of Nepal

Total number of rivers: >6000

Major rivers: Koshi, Narayani, Karnali, and Mahakali

The Koshi river basin is the largest river basin in Nepal. It covers a total catchment area of 60,400 sq km, out of which 46%, or 27,863 sq km, lies in Nepal and the remaining in Tibet, China. The three main tributaries of the Koshi River are Sunkoshi, Arun, and Tamur. The average runoff (discharge) of Koshi is around 1,409 cubic meters per second, equivalent to around 45 BCM per annum, at Chatara.

The Narayani river basin has a total catchment area of 34,960 sq km and close to 90% of the catchment lies in Nepalese territory. The major tributaries are the Trishuli, Budhi Gandaki, Marsyangdi, Seti, and Kaligandaki. The average runoff (discharge) of Narayani at Narayangadh is 1,600 cubic meters per second, equivalent to around 50 BCM per annum.

The Karnali River at Chisapani has a total catchment area of 43,679 sq km. Karnali originates in the south of the Mansarovar and Rokas lakes in Tibet, China. Ninety-four per cent of the catchment area lies in Nepal. The main tributaries of Karnali are West Seti, Bheri, Humla Karnali, Mugu, Karnali, Singa Tila, Lohare and Thuli Gad. The average runoff at Chisapani is 1,397 cubic meters per second, equivalent to around 44 BCM per annum.

The Mahakali River is a border river in most of its reaches and forms the western border between Nepal and India. This river originates in Api Himal. The total catchment of the Mahakali basin is 15,260 sq km. Thirty-four per cent of the catchment area lies in Nepal.

Targets of National Water Plan (Reference is taken from National Water Plan-Nepal, www.moen.gov.np)

Keeping in view the hydropower potential of Nepal, the National Water Plan has set the following targets.

By 2007

• Up to 700 MW generating hydropower, capacities are developed to meet the projected domestic demand at base case scenario without export.
• Laws making participation of national contractors or consultants mandatory in all types of projects are promulgated.
• 35% of the households are supplied with INPS electricity, 8% by isolated (micro and small) hydro systems and 2% by alternative energy.
• Per capita electricity consumption of 100 KWh is achieved.

By 2017

• Up to 2035 MW hydropower electricity is developed to meet the projected domestic demand at base case scenario, excluding export.
• 50% of households are supplied with INPS electricity, 12% by isolated (micro and small) hydro systems and 3% by alternative energy.
• Per capita electricity consumption of 160 KWh is achieved.
• NEA is corporatized.

By 2027

• Up to 4,000 MW of hydropower is developed to meet the projected domestic demand at base case scenario, excluding export.
• 75% of the households are supplied with INPS electricity, 20% by isolated (micro and small) hydro systems and 5% by alternative energy.
• Per capita electricity consumption of over 400 KWh is achieved.
• Substantial amounts of electricity exported to earn national revenue.
• NEA unbundled and privatized.

Key players in rural electrification of Nepal

• Ministry of Energy/Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS)

Formulation of policy

Target setting

• Department of electricity development

Regulation, licensing, examination and monitoring

• Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)

Grid based and isolated system, retail or bulk sale

• Butwal Power Company (BPC)

Grid based system, retail or bulk sale

• Salleri Chialsa Electric Company (SCECO)

Isolated system

• Khumbu Bijuli Company (KBC)

Isolated system

• Himal Power Limited (HPL)

Grid based and isolated system

• Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC)

Community-based through isolated hydro, mini grid, solar and wind system

Power development scenario of Nepal (2012-2013)

Total generation: 762.03 MW

Hydropower: 708.52 MW

NEA: 477.93 MW

IPP (Independent Power Producer): 230.59 MW

Thermal power: 53.41 MW

Solar power: 0.1 MW

Capacity of power plants under construction: 1657.8 MW (Total number: 34)

NEA: 732 MW (Total number: 6)

IPP: 927.83 MW (Total number: 28)

References

1. Water and Energy Commission Secretariat. (2005).National Water Plan - Nepal. Retrieved fromhttp://www.moen.gov.np/

Information from the handouts provided by my lecturer Mr. Gopal Joshi Subedi has also been used.