Renewable energy technologies in Nepal

Nepal, one of the least-developed countries, has a per capita energy consumption of about 336 kilograms of oil equivalent (kgoe), which is much below the world average of 1,474 kgoe. Around 85.27% of the total energy consumption comes from traditional energy resources and only 0.48% from renewable sources. About 40% of the total population has access to electricity. This 40% uses 33% from the national grid and 7% from alternative sources. This paper contains a historical account of the development of renewable energy technologies in Nepal. It focuses on the deployment trend of different renewable energy technologies such as biogas, micro-hydro, water mill, solar thermal and photovoltaic, wind and geothermal energies in the country. The role of stakeholders as well as governmental subsidy for the commercialisation of these technologies is also highlighted.