Integrated development of hydropower and solar energy stressed

A study has showed that emphasis should be given to power production based on the sources of renewal energy like Solar Photovoltaic reducing full dependency in hydropower at a time when water-level in rivers has started decreasing due to climate change.

The study report on ‘Integrated development of hydropower and solar energy for security, affordability and sustainability in Nepal’s energy mixture’ stressed that there is immense potentials of renewal energy including hydropower and solar energy in Nepal and it should be developed as a complement.

The study was carried out with the support of Renewal Energy Promotion Centre and Solar Technology Promotion Programme for economic development run by GIZ (a German development agency).

At a programme organised here today with an objective of presenting the final conclusions of the study report before all stakeholders, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Sushil Chandra Tiwari, said emphasis would be lad on development and expansion of renewal energy including solar energy along with hydropower for the security and export of power in coming days analyzing the energy sector of Nepal.

Executive Director of the Centre, Nabaraj Dhakal, pointed out the need of creating policy-level and investment environment for the development of sustainable and clean energy.

As per the Nepal’s commitment to Paris Agreement, Nepal has to develop renewal energy except hydropower to achieve the goal of net zero emission till 2045 as well as 20 per cent of energy would be consumed through renewal sources till 2030.

The report of Second Nationally Determined Contribution (2020) has set a goal of producing 5,000 megawatt electricity from renewal energy till 2030.