Nepal has among the largest fraction of electrified
transportation globally. And it’s growing. Given the increase
in population and the growing air quality concerns in its
population centres, this is a welcome development that must
continue to spread. Not surprisingly, importers of petrol and
diesel vehicles and fuel are actively working to slow adoption
of additional electric transportation use in Kathmandu,
but the recent blockade of goods crossing the India-Nepal
border has impressed on most Nepalis the need to be more
independent of petroleum imports. Electrified transportation
is seen as an important avenue to energy independence.
Nepal has also developed an extensive biogas programme
to fuel rural households’ cooking needs. Inexpensive
biogas systems using livestock waste are a standard feature
of rural homes across Nepal. Over 100 companies install
the technology and have sold more than 300,000 systems
A lightning bolt illuminates
Patan and Kathmandu in
Nepal. The country is working
towards implementing an all-
renewable electricity systemPrivate entrepreneurs in Kathmandu
have also developed a network of battery
charging stations that successfully
electrify hundreds of tuk-tuksnationwide. Credit from microfinance institutions has been
helping the poorest rural households pay for installation of
these systems.
State-sponsored rural solar programmes have also brought
electricity for lights to unconnected rural households. These
programmes serve almost every community in Nepal now,
with over half a million homes sporting a panel on their roof.IMAGE © SHUTTERSTOCK