POKHARA UNIVERSITY

NEPAL ENGINEERING COLLEGE

A proposal on
ROLE OF MICROHYDROPOWER IN RURAL AREAS
OF NEPAL

Summited by:
Aakar Aryal (015-801)
Arjun Khadka (015-807)
Rupesh Kumar Mahoto (015-835)
Sajit Thapa (015-836)
Sunil Thapa (015-845)
Rabin Bhatta (015-847)
Submitted to:
Department of Civil Engineering
Nepal Engineering College
Changhunarayan, Bhaktapur,
Nepal.
May, 2017
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express our gratitude and great application to our advisor Prof. Hari Krishna
Shrestha for his guidance and support in completing our project entitled “Role of micro
Hydro in Rural Areas of Nepal.” By his valuable suggestions and comments, it became
possible to complete our project.
We would also like to thank sincerely to all the judges of project presentation and all the
teachers who helped us directly and indirectly to complete this project.
Our special thanks goes to Mr Keshab Pd Ghimire, project manager, “Sri Mahankal
Bahuudyesha Ghatte Bijuli Utapadan Aayojana” Gotikhel-2, Lalitpur for providing his
valuable time and knowledge about the establishment of Gotikhel Micro Hydropower project
and its situation in the micro hydropower.

i
 ABSTRACT
This study present the Role of Hydropower in Rural areas Of Nepal. Micro Hydropower is
one of the most possible sources of electricity for the people who lives in rural areas of
Nepal. Nepal is the mountainous country, due to geographical and economical constrain and
transportation problem, it is impossible to electricity from the national grid in remote areas of
Nepal. There are so many difficulties to develop the country and supply electricity all over
the country in context of Nepal. So, the possibility of micro hydro generation in will be the
best to supply electricity in rural areas of Nepal. For the generation and operation of MH, the
involvement of local people would be effective.
As compared to private and other government related organization, the community based
management committee seems better to operate effectively.
For the operation of micro hydropower project, the initial cost is high. The source of fund to
be collected or donor agencies are to be ready to donate money and local community willing
to support the project to be feasible for local conditions. In context of Nepal, the economic
status of rural people is very poor. So, the government provides subsidy and help financially,
technically and with appropriate policies. Agriculture Development Bank Nepal provides
loan to the installer and manufacture of Micro Hydropower Projects.
Our study concludes with the suggestions that in rural area, Micro hydropower is suitable
where national grid supply is not possible for long period of time. These type of project helps
to educate people, civilize them, provide employments and establish small and cottage
industries and many more. Rural esterification helps people stopping in migration towards the
urban area, improving in agro processing, caring towards health and improving the living
standard of rural people.

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 Table of Content
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………………...i
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………..ii
Table of Content……………………………………………………………………………...iii
Abbreviations…………………………………………………………….................................v
List of Tables………………………………………………………………………………..vii
List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………….....viii
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1) BACKGROUND………………………………………………………………………….1
1.1.1) Hydropower Project ……………………………………………..................................1
1.1.2) History of hydropower development …………………………….................................1
1.1.3) Hydropower development in Nepal …………………………………………………..2
1.1.4) Hydropower potential of Nepal……………………………………………………….3
1.1.5) Classification of Hydropower projects in Nepal ……………………………………..4
1.1.6) Micro hydropower project……………………………………………………………4
1.1.7) Micro Hydropower development in rural areas of Nepal…………...............................4
1.1.8) Role of micro hydropower development in rural areas of Nepal …………………….5
1.2) OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………………….....5
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1) Power situation in Nepal…………………………………………………………………..6

2.2) Power generation, demand and supply………………………………………………….…7

2.3) MH installations in rural areas of Nepal….........................................................................11

2.4) Government Policies for MH projects in Nepal………………………………………….11

2.5) MH power Rural Esterification in Nepal ………………………………………………...12

2.6) Organization involved in MH power development in Nepal ……………………….…....12

2.7) Challenges of MH power development in Nepal ………………………………………..15

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 CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
3.1) Selection of Site………………………………………………………………………….17
3.2) Data collecting Technique……………………………………………………………….17
3.3) Data Analysis……………………………………………………………………………...17

CHAPTER 4
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1) Phase development of Micro hydropower project………………………………….…....18
4.1.1) Site selection ……………………………………………………………………...18
4.1.2) Site potential………………………………………………………………………19
4.1.3) Components of a micro-hydropower system……………………………………...19
4.1.4) Environmental issues and approvals………………………………………………20
4.1.5) System sizing……………………………………………………………………...20
4.1.6) Costs………………………………………………………………………………20
4.2) Advantages of MH project……………………………………………………..……….20
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ……………………………………………...22
REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………………………24
ANNEX ……………………………………………………………………………………...25

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 Abbreviations
A -Ampere
ADBL - Agriculture Development Bank Limited
AEPC - Alternative Energy Promotion Center
CDR -Central Development Region
CFL -Compacted Fluorescent Lamp
DANIDA -Danish International Development Agencies
DFID -Department for International Development
DOED -Department of Electricity Development
DOLIDAR -Department of Local Infrastructure Development and Agricultural Roads
ESAP - Energy sector Assistance Program
GWH -GigaWatt hour
HEP - Hydro Electrical Project
ICIMOD -International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
ITDG -Intermediate Technology Development Group
IUCN -International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
KWH -Kilowatt Hour
MH -Micro Hydro
MHPS -Micro Hydro Powers
MWH -Megawatt Hour
NEA -Nepal Electricity Authority
NMHDA -Nepal Micro Hydro Power Development Association
NRREP -Nepal Rural and Renewable Energy
R&D -Research & Development
RCEMH -Regional Centre for Excellence Micro Hydro Power
RE -Rural Esterification
REDP -Rural Energy Development Programme
RERL -Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood
SHDB -Small Hydro Power Development Board
UNCDF -United Nations Capital Development Fund

v
UNDP -United Nations Development Programme
WB -World Bank
WECS -Water and Energy Commission Secretariat

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 List of tables
Table 1: Decade-wise Development of Hydropower
Table 2: Hydropower Potential of Nepal (in million KW)
Table 3: Classification of Hydropower in Nepal
Table 4: Power Plants in Operation

List of Figures
Figure 1: Decade-wise Development of Hydropower Generation (MW)
Figure 2: Pie-chart showing energy consumption in Nepal

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1) BACKGROUND
The demand of energy is increasing day by day and the supply is limited, so it has pronounced
negative impacts such as depletion of natural resources, environmental degradation, etc. This
causes depletion in non-renewable and exhaustive sources of energy, which may invite energy
crisis in future development. Therefore, energy consumers should be keen on using of non-
exhaustive and renewable sources of energy. Hydropower, one of the most reliable and
common renewable sources of energy is abundantly available in Nepal.
1.1.1) Hydropower Project
Hydro comes from the Greek word 'hydra', meaning water and Power (energy per unit time)
termed as Hydropower is power derived from the energy of falling water or fast running water,
which may be harnessed for useful purposes. In other term, Hydropower, or hydroelectricity,
is basically electrical energy that has been generated using natural forces of flowing water.
Hydropower has been recognised as a sustainable source of energy with almost zero input cost.
Hydropower production does not consume water, so it is considered as renewable source of
energy. Consumption of this energy is environmental friendly because it uses water as fuel and
no harmful by products are produced i.e., its benefits are that it is non-polluting in the sense
that it releases no heat or noxious gases, it has low operating and maintenance cost, its
technology offers reliable and flexible operation, and hydropower stations have increased
efficiencies along with long life. It does not emit greenhouse gases that cause ozone layer
depletion and global warming.
Because of abundant water resources and potential hydropower sites available, there is huge
possibility of hydropower production. Large projects involve huge amount of funds and the
development period is large hence activities regarding development of Small Hydropower
Projects are accelerating in these days which is technically, financially and environmentally
sustainable at the present scenario.
1.1.2) History of hydropower development
Use of energy generated from water has been started since the very beginning of human
civilization. There are evidences of it in Greek and Roman civilization. Though, Michael
Faraday demonstrated that mechanical energy could be converted into electrical energy and
vice versa, in 1831, development and use of electrical energy began gaining momentum after
1890. By 1900, hydropower plants had become a common source of obtaining electricity. In
the early 19th century, progress in the hydropower development was slow because of less
efficiency in power transmission over the long distance. The pace of hydropower development
increased dramatically after 1930. United States made a policy to invest in water based projects
to create jobs for unemployed and to stimulate economic recovery in the country when it faced
severe economic hardship in 1929. In the former Soviet Union, hydropower was considered
synonymous with industrialization and economic prosperity after 1920. After 2nd world war,
leaders of African and Asian nations has replicated the western US model to meet energy and
water needs of their own countries and many large scale hydropower projects were built in
India, Pakistan and Egypt between 1950 and 1980.None of the projects in US, former Soviet

1
Union and India had the objective of exporting energy to its neighbouring to earn revenue for
the country. In recent decades, the concept of production of electrical energy has been changed.
Now, it has been traded between two or more nations after agreement upon certain terms of
trade. Exporting electricity to a neighbouring country to earn revenue for the government is
one of the stated objectives of developing large scale hydropower projects in Nepal. (Source:
Development Plan of a Sustainable Micro-Hydro Power Plant and Distribution System, World
Bank Document, August, 2008)

1.1.3) Hydropower development in Nepal

Nepal is rich in hydro-resources, with one of the highest per capita hydropower potentials in
the world. The estimated theoretical power potential is approximately 83,000 MW. Nepal
entered into hydropower development field almost a century ago. The first in this region was
the construction of 500KW Pharping hydropower project, commissioned in1911 AD followed
by Morang Hydro 1918 and Sundarijal Hydro in late thirties. The planned development
approach was initiated in late fifties with the First Five Year Plan. In about a century only
450MW has been developed through government agency. On the other hand after
establishment (1990), IPPs have developed about 125MW in less than a decade. But the
progressive development was gradual only after the Sundarijal (600 KW) and Panauti (2400
KW) Hydropower Stations came into operation after long interval of 23 and 29 years. The
completion of Dhankuta Hydropower station (240 KW) in 1971 was regarded as the bench
mark of small hydel development of Nepal. The establishment of small hydel development
board in 1975 was another milestone under which several small hydro schemes such as Jhupra
(345 KW), Doti (200 KW), Jumla (200 KW) etc. were made during 1975 to 1985. Nepal
Electricity Authority (NEA), established 1985, responsible for generation, transmission and
distribution of electric power brought the revolution in hydropower development. Many
potential sites for hydropower generation had identified by private consultancies and
companies in collaboration with NEA. Prior to 1960, all the hydropower stations were
constructed through grant aid from friendly countries like the USSR (Panauti), India (Trishuli,
Devighat, Gandak, Surajpura-Koshi) and China (Sunkoshi). Since 1970, hydropower
development took a new turn with the availability of bilateral and multilateral funding sources.
The major donor countries in the period were Japan, Germany, Norway, South Korea, Canada,
Finland, Denmark, Sweden and USA. The financial lending agencies were the World Bank,
ADB, JBIC, and Saudi Fund for Development, Kuwait Fund and others. From 1990s,
subsequent to the adoption of the policy of economic liberalization, hydropower development
took yet another turn with the private sector entering the arena. After formulating Hydropower
Development Policy – 1992 by government of Nepal, many private sectors are involving
towards power development. In order to encompass projects of various scales intended for
domestic consumption as well as to export hydropower, the former policy was replaced by the
Hydropower Development Policy 2001 to provide further movement to active participation of
private sectors. Development of hydropower in Nepal is a very complex task as it faces
numerous challenges and obstacles. Some of the factors attributed to the low level of
hydropower development are lack of capital, high cost of technology, political instability, and
lower load factors due to lower level of productive end-use of electricity and high technical
and non-technical losses.

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The development of hydropower has been increasing every decade. When the project regarding
the hydropower started in Nepal, only 0.5 MW of electricity was produced that time. The
gradual incensement in the percentage increase of hydroelectricity started increasing by 1961.
By 2010 48.13% increase in the generation of hydropower was successful.
Table 1: Decade-wise Development of Hydropower
Generations
Decades (A.D) MW Percentage
(%)
1911-1920 0.5 0.07
1921-1930 0.0 0
1931-1940 0.6 0.086
1941-1950 0.0 0
1951-1960 0.0 0
1961-1970 27.5 3.94
1971-1980 26.7 3.83
1981-1990 180.3 25.86
1991-2000 125.9 18.06
2001-2010 335.5 48.13
Total 697 100
Source: NEA, 2016

335.5
180.3

125.9
27.5

26.7
0.6
0.5

1911- 1921- 1931- 1941- 1951- 1961- 1971- 1981- 1991- 2000-
1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Fig 1: Decade-wise Development of Hydropower Generation (MW) (Source: A year in review

fiscal year 2015/16)
1.1.4) Hydropower potential of Nepal
Nepal is rich in hydro-resources, with one of the highest per capita hydropower potentials in
the world. The estimated theoretical power potential is approximately 83,000 MW (83 GW)
out of which 42 GW has been considered as financially viable and 44 GW as technically viable.

3
Due to the steep topography, abundant precipitation and perennial nature of most of the rivers
which originate from the Himalayas of Tibetan plateaus; there exist a tremendous hydropower
potentiality in Nepal. Approximately 6000 big and small rivers have been identified in Nepal's
territory carrying about 174*109 m3of surface run-off annually (0.5% of total surface run off
of the world).

Table 2: Hydropower Potential of Nepal (in million KW)

River Basin Theoretical Economic
Potential feasible
GW % GW %
Koshi 22.35 27 10.86 25
Gandaki 20.65 25 5.27 13
Karnali /Mahakali 36.18 43 25.10 60
Others 4.11 5 0.88 2
Total 83.29 100 42.13 100
Source: Regional Hydro-power Resources: Status of Development and Barriers Nepal, Nexant
SARI/Energy, September 2002
1.1.5) Classification of Hydropower projects in Nepal
The main organization to classify different hydropower plant in Nepal is NEA. NEA has
classified the hydropower projects according to the power output into the followings groups:
Table3: Classification of Hydropower in Nepal
S.N Description Capacity
1. Micro Hydropower Up to 100KW
2. Mini Hydropower 100KW-1000KW
3. Small Hydropower 1000KW-5000KW
4. Medium Hydropower 5000KW-30,000KW
5. Large Hydropower >30,000KW
Source: IPPAN, Nepal
Micro hydro is a type of hydroelectric power that typically produces from 5 kW to 100 kW of
electricity. A mini is a type of hydroelectric power that that typically produces from 100 kW
to 1000 kW of electricity. A small is a type of hydroelectric power that that typically produces
from 1000 kW to 5000 kW of electricity. A medium is a type of hydroelectric power that that
typically produces from 5000 kW to 30,000 kW of electricity. A mini is a type of hydroelectric
power that that typically produces more than 30,000 kW of electricity.
1.1.6) Micro hydropower project

Micro hydro is a type of hydroelectric power that typically produces from 5 kW to 100 kW of
electricity using the natural flow of water. Installations below 5 kW are called pico hydro.
Micro hydropower can be one of the most simple and consistent forms or renewable energy.

Micro Hydropower development in rural areas of Nepal

The rural population in Nepal is highly dependent on traditional bio fuel for heating and
cooking. This form of energy however, is a threat to the environment and the health of the

4
population. Supported by different organizations, the Rural Energy Development Programme
is seeking to promote renewable energy sources by building small hydropower and solar
heating (cooking stoves) systems to provide reliable, low-cost electricity to a large number of
isolated, rural communities. For remote rural household not connected to grid, MHPs have
provided access to electricity. Still, as the national grid was gradually deployed into rural areas
– albeit with little coordination between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and the
Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), respectively responsible for the national grid
and alternative energy promotion -- villages with both existing MHPs and a new grid
connection faced an entirely novel problem.
1.1.7) Role of micro hydropower development in rural areas of Nepal
Rural electrification through micro-hydro is a credible option for Nepal since the country has
exploited only 2 percent of its considerable potential. Furthermore, micro-hydro provides
round-the-clock electricity generation in close proximity to end-users, with no need for
expensive storage or power lines. The IDA-financed Nepal Power Development Project,
launched in 2003, featured a Micro-Hydro Village Electrification component. Communities
formed Micro-Hydro Functional Groups to execute the work, including responsibility for
supervising contractors. The project built upon the national strategy launched through the
Rural Energy Development Program in 1996, which successfully increased rural access to
renewable energy sources and formed a solid foundation for scaling up impact.(Source:
Government of Nepal. Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program Investment Plan for Nepal,
2011.)

1.2) OBJECTIVES
The objective of the study under our scope are as follows
1) To analyse the role of micro hydropower in rural areas of Nepal.
2) To analyse the management adopted for the operation of micro hydropower in rural
areas of Nepal.
3) To recommend the arising problem at the project in the future.

5
 CHAPTER 2

LITERETURE REVIEW
2.1) Power situation in Nepal

Nepal has a huge hydropower potential. In fact, the perennial nature of Nepali rivers and the
steep gradient of the country's topography provide ideal conditions for the development of
some of the world's largest hydroelectric projects in Nepal. Current estimates are that Nepal
has approximately 42.13 GW of economically feasible hydropower potential. However, the
present situation is that Nepal has developed only approximately 600 MW of hydropower.
Therefore, bulk of the economically feasible generation has not been realized yet. Besides, the
multipurpose, secondary and tertiary benefits have not been realized from the development of
its rivers.

Although bestowed with tremendous hydropower resources, only about 40% of Nepal's
population has access to electricity. Most of the power plants in Nepal are run-of-river type
with energy available in excess of the in-country demand during the monsoon season and
deficit during the dry season.

Nepal's electricity generation is dominated by hydropower, though in the entire scenario of

energy use of the country, the electricity is a tiny fraction, only 1% energy need is fulfilled by
electricity. The bulk of the energy need is dominated by fuel wood (68%), agricultural waste
(15%), animal dung (8%) and imported fossil fuel (8%). The other fact is that only about 40%
of Nepal's population has access to electricity. With this scenario and having immense potential
of hydropower development, it is important for Nepal to increase its energy dependency on
electricity with hydropower development. This contributes to deforestation, soil erosion and
depletion, and increased flooding downstream in the Ganges plain. Shortage of wood also
pushes farmers to burn animal dung, which is needed for agriculture. Not only this, the
development of hydropower will help to achieve the millennium development goals with
protecting environment, increasing literacy, improving health of children and women with
better energy. Growing environmental degradation adds a sense of urgency.

Fig: Pie-chart showing energy consumption in Nepal

6
The electricity demand in Nepal is increasing by about 7-9% per year. About 40 % of
population in Nepal has access to electricity through the grid and off grid system. Nepal's Tenth
Five Year Plan (2002– 2007) aims to extend the electrification within country and export to
India for mutual benefit. The new Hydropower Policy 2001 seeks to promote private sector
investment in the sector of hydropower development and aims to expand the electrification
within the country and export.

The hydropower system in Nepal is dominated by run-of-river Projects. There is only one
seasonal storage project in the system. There is shortage of power during winter and spill during
wet season. The load factor is quite low as the majority of the consumption is dominated by
household use. This imbalance has clearly shown the need for storage projects, and hence,
cooperation between the two neighbouring countries is essential for the best use of the hydro
resource for mutual benefit.

The system loss is one of the major issues to be addressed to improve the power system which
accounts to be 25 % including technical and non-technical losses like pilferage.

2.2) Power generation, demand and supply

Nepal has 600 MW of installed capacity in its Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS). The
power system is dominated by the hydropower which contributes about 90 % of the system and
the balance is met by multi fuel plant. The hydropower development in Nepal began with the
development of 500 kW Pharping power plant in 1911. The most recent significant power plant
commissioned is the 144-MW Kali Gandaki “A” Hydroelectric Plant.

Until 1990, hydropower development was under the domain of government utility, Nepal
Electricity Authority (NEA) only. However, with the enactment of new Hydropower
Development Policy 1992, the sector was opened to the private sector also. There are number
of projects already built by the private developers. Private power producers contribute 148 MW
of power to the ‘Integrated Nepal Power System'.

The major hydropower plants with their capacity are listed in the table as follows:

Table4: Power Plants in Operation

Major Hydropower Stations

S.N Power Plant Capacity (KW)
1. Kaligandaki A 1,44,000
2. Middle Marsyangdi 70,000
3. Marsyangdi 69,000
4. Trishuli 24,000
5. Sunkoshi 10,050
6. Gandaki 15,000
7. Kulekhani I 60,000
8. Devighat 14,100
9. Kulekhani II 32,000
10. Puwa khola 6,200
11. Modi khola 14,800
Sub Total 4,59,150

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 Small Hydropower
12. Stations
Sundarijal 640
13. Panauti 2,400
14. Fewa 1000
15. Seti (Pokhara) 1500
16. Tatopani 2,000
17. Chatara 3,200
18. Tinau 1,024
19. Pharping *** 500
20. Jomsom ** 240
21. Baglung *** 200
22. Khandbari ** 250
23. Pidim ** 240
24. Sumaiyagad 200
25. Doti *** 200
26. Ramechap 150
27. Terhathum** 100
28. Gamgad 400
Sub Total 14,244
Grand Total 473,394

Small Hydropower
Plants (Isolated)
Power plant Capacity(KW)
Jhurpa*** 345
Gorkhe*** 64
Jumla** 200
Dhading*** 32
Syangja*** 80
Helambu 50
Darchula** 300
Chame** 45
Taplejung** 125
Manag** 80
Chaurjhar** 150
Syapudaha** 200
Bhojpur** 250
Bajura** 200
Bajhang** 200
Arughat 150
Okhaldhunga 125
Rupalgad 100
Achham 400
Dolpa 200
Kalokot 500
Heldung 500
Dhankuta 240
Total 4,536

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Under Construction Power Plants

Power plant Capacity (KW)

Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project 4,56,000
Tanahu Hydropower Project 1,40,000
Chameliya HEP 30,000
Kulekhani III 14,000
Upper Trishuli 3 A HEP 60,000
Rahughat HEP 32,000
Upper Sanjen 14,600
Sanjen 42,500
Rasuwagadi 111,000
Madhya Bhotekoshi 102,000
Upper Trishuli 3 B 42,000
Total 1,044,100

There are about six thousand big and small rivers in three major river basins namely Koshi,
Gandaki and Karnali including some southern rivers, and two border rivers, Mechi and
Mahakali in Nepal. The planned and proposed hydropower projects is in the table below:

Planned and Proposed Hydropower Plants

Upper Arun HEP 335,000

Upper Modi A HEP 42,000
Upper Modi HEP 18,200
Dudh Koshi Storage HEP 6,40,000
Tamor Storage HEP 5,30,000
Uttar Ganga Storage HEP 3,00,000
Tamakoshi V HEP 87,000
Upper Beri HEP 85,000
Chainpur Seti HEP 1,40,000
Total 21,77,200

Note:
** Leased to Private Sector
*** Not in Normal Operation

Source: A Year in Review 2014-15; NEA publications

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) estimates that the electricity demand will increase steadily
at the average annual growth of 9 % and peak demand will increase by 8.85% in the same
period. Energy (kWh or MWh or GWh) is the total hourly electricity demand summed for each
year, whereas system peak load (kW or MW or GW) is the maximum amount of electricity
demanded at any given time of the year. For the smooth supply of electricity, the utility
company (NEA) has to be able to meet both total annual electricity demand and also be able to
handle the peak load demand.

9
2.3) MH installations in rural areas of Nepal

The use of Micro Hydro technology is a success story for Nepal for the past several years.
Micro Hydro technology has been providing energy to the people living in 55 all hill and
mountain districts. Out of a total of 75 districts across the country, who live in off grid remote
area. Reliable source claim that around 3300 Micro Hydro plants of capacity of up to 100 kW
to electricity to generate have been installed so far and around 350,000 households have been
connected with electricity at least for light. Nepal’s success in Micro Hydro, thus, has been
taken as an example by the countries in neighbourhood and some other African countries.

In the rural areas where there are micro hydropower plants have been installed, however, do
not need to impose load shedding as they ‘stay alone’ without aligning to the national grid
system.

The history of micro hydropower starts with enthusiasm to improve water mills aiming to
perform water mills better and generate electricity of nominal capacity. With successful results
the enthusiasts started to look for wider options.

The first micro hydropower plant of 5 kW capacity was installed in Godavari, Kathmandu with
the Swiss Assistance in 1962 AD. Since then around 3,300 MHPs have been installed in the
country in hilly and mountains locations. These mini/micro/pico hydropower plants are
generating close to 30,000 kW of installed capacity to provide electricity for about 350,000
households approximately. Lighting has been the main benefit of MHPs. Grinding, hulling,
water pumping are also done with electricity generated by MHPs and also powered to operate
computers, photo studios, poultry farms and some small industries.

As radios, televisions and internet are used in the villages, electricity has been a meaning to
provide opportunity to get latest and useful information to the users, and they get news and
views of national and international importance and useful tips for their occupational betterment
as well. Students can study in the evenings in bright lights. Women find their drudgery reduced
and time saved to use in income generating or other beneficial works. Thus, MHP has been
proved to be instrumental in remote villages where access of electricity through grid connection
is synonymous to a dream.

2.4) Government Policies for MH projects in Nepal

Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), the government agency dedicated for
development and promotion of alternative energy technologies for rural people is carrying out
National Rural and Renewable Energy Programme (NRREP) for 5 years from 16th July 2012
to 15th July 2017. It is worth mentioning that the programme supported by Danish government,
Norwegian government, DFID, KfW, SNV, The World Bank, Asian Development Bank,
UNDP, UNCFD has mentioned that Pico Hydro plants (up to 10 kW capacity) and Micro
Hydro plants (10 kW to 100 kW capacity) established in between mid – July 2012 to mid-July
2014 generate 6.2 MW of electricity. It has a set target to establish Pico Hydro, Micro Hydro
and Mini hydro plants (100 kW to 1000 kW) to generate in total of 25 MW of electricity in the
five year tenure of NRREP. Earlier, Rural Energy Development Programme with support of
UNDP and the World Bank was conducted for 15 years and worked successfully in 40 districts.
Likewise, Energy Sector Assistance Programme (ESAP) with supports of Danish government
and Norwegian government in two phases of 5 years each was also highly successful.

10
The government agency has formulated a number of suitable policies, procedures for successful
implementation of plans and programmes. It has also learned much from the earlier
experiences. Mobilizing the government fund and supports extended by development partners
are also a successful part of the performances AEPC carried out.

Likewise, there are KADOORIE, Poverty Alleviation Fund, DOLIDAR and some others
institutions take initiatives for establishment of Micro Hydro to the backward people.

Also, the efforts made by organizations like ITDG Nepal (now Practical Action), IUCN,
ICIMOD, Agricultural Development Bank, different educational institutes etc. and dedicated
professionals of MH sector are to be appreciated to bring the encouraging results in this sector.

2.5) MH power Rural Esterification in Nepal

The Micro-Hydro Village programme was built upon the national strategy launched through
the Rural Energy Development Programme and helped to increase the electricity access
through renewable energy sources in rural areas in the remote villages of Nepal. The micro-
hydro system provided continuous electricity to end users in close proximity. Through active
community mobilization and involvement and by working with community organizations and
government agencies, the project demonstrated a successful model for extending electricity
access through renewable sources in rural areas.

2.6) Organization involved in MH power development in Nepal

Different organizations are involved in the development of MH power project in Nepal.

I. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROMOTION CENTRE (AEPC)

The AEPC was established on November 3, 1996 as a semi-autonomous government
agency governed by a Board of Directors. It is a line agency of the Ministry of Science,
Technology and Environment (MoSTE) and works as a national focal institution for
alternative and renewable energy promotion. AEPC’s mandates are policy and planning,
resource mobilization, technical support, monitoring and evaluation, standardization,
quality assurance and coordination with stakeholders in the renewable energy sector. The
AEPC has succeeded in private sector development by involving over 400 private
companies and more than 350 local enterprises in the renewable energy sector while
creating 30,000 jobs at the local level and providing 1.5 million households with some form
of renewable energy technology (RET). It has had positive impacts on rural education,
health, and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors by providing
electricity to 14 percent of the rural population. Various programs within the AEPC are
briefly discussed herein.

II. Regional Centre for Excellence in Micro Hydropower (RCEMH)

The AEPC in partnership with USAID launched the RCEMH project in 2010 for the
development and promotion of micro hydropower projects. RCEMH facilitates access to
clean energy technologies throughout the South Asia region by stimulating new clean
energy enterprises, promoting clean energy and improving economic opportunities to
relieve South Asian countries, such as Nepal from rising energy costs. In addition, RCHMH
organizes knowledge on completed micro hydropower projects and supplements it with
regional best practices to make it available to community stakeholders, clean energy project
developers and financial institutions across South Asia.

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III. National Rural and Renewable Energy Programme (NRREP)
The AEPC started the NRREP on 16 July 2012 with support from the GoN and various
international development partners such as the World Bank (WB), Asian Development
Bank (ADB), United Nations Development Project (UNDP), and United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), Department for International Development (DFID),
German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Danish International Development
Agency (DANIDA), German Development Bank (KfW), Netherlands Development
Organization (SNV), Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (NMoFA) and the European
Union (EU). The NRREP is mainly focused on improving the living standard of the rural
population by increasing their productivity and employment rates, reducing their
dependency on traditional energy, and integrating alternative energy with socioeconomic
activities to attain sustainable development. The program will continue for five years with
a total budget of US$184 million. Breaking up foreign aid to support rural areas and the
renewable energy sector has proven to be ineffective and has failed to deliver expected
results in the past. Therefore, the NRREP organized itself as a single program modality
such that all of AEPC’s renewable energy programs supported by development partners are
funded within the NRREP. This has helped to minimize inefficiencies, duplication, non-
coordination and fragmentation of aid for rural areas and the renewable energy sector.

IV. Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihood (RERL)

Between 1996 and March 2011, the UNDP-supported Rural Energy Development
Programme (REDP) enabled more than 50,000 households to light their homes, cook their
meals and power their enterprises from sources of clean energy. The REDP helped
formulate policies and the institutional framework for decentralized development and
management of rural energy supplies. By its end, the project had helped establish district
energy and environment units (DEEUs) in 72 district development committees (DDCs) for
local energy development. It had also trained these communities to run and maintain their
micro hydropower schemes. Such success led to the REDP model being adopted by the
Government in its landmark Rural Energy Policy (2006) and as the basis for nationwide
Microhydro Village Electrification Programme (MHVEP) funded by the World Bank.
RERL is an extension of the successful partnership between the GoN and UNDP in the
renewable energy sector with an aim to consolidate the best practices from REDP and
continue scaling up access to energy. This new program is being implemented by the AEPC
and has begun work on reducing barriers that hinder wider use of renewable energy
resources in rural Nepal. These barriers include policy and regulatory barriers, inadequate
institutional capacity, the high cost of installing rural energy schemes, and limited technical
expertise. The RERL program will be a transition program before the full-fledged Global
Environment Facility’s (GEF) UNDP funded RERL program is finalized and brought into
implementation in 2014 for the next five years. The program plans to link with the NRREP.
The current RERL program aims to complete the joint commitments of the AEPC and the
World Bank for achieving the target of 4.25 MW electricity generation through
implementation of MHVEP. The program further supports the AEPC to consolidate the
best experiences/practices of the REDP.

V. NEPAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY (NEA)

The NEA was established on August 16, 1985 under the Nepal Electricity Authority Act
1984, through the merger of the Department of Electricity of the Ministry of Water
Resources, Nepal Electricity Corporation, and other related development boards. An
individual organization was necessary to achieve efficiency and reliable service to remedy
the inherent weakness associated with overlapping and duplication of works through

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 fragmented electricity organizations. The main objective of the NEA is to generate,
transmit and distribute adequate, reliable and affordable power by planning, constructing,
operating and maintaining all generation, transmission and distribution facilities in Nepal’s
interconnected or isolated power systems. NEA’s other responsibilities are to recommend
long- as well as short-term plans and policies in the power sector to the GoN, to determine
the tariff structure for electricity consumption with prior approval of the GoN, and to
manage training and study to produce skilled human resources in generation, transmission,
distribution and other sectors. NEA’s Load Dispatch Centre (LDC) located in Kathmandu
is at the heart of the national grid (also called The Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS)).
Through the LDC, the NEA supervises and maintains the quality of electrical power
supplied to the consumers, works towards maintaining balance between demand and
supply, and tries to minimize power interruption. Supervision and monitoring is done
through the computer- based Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system
that collects real time data from power stations and substations spread around the country.

VI. DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICITY DEVELOPMENT (DOED)

Electricity Development Center (EDC) was established on July 16, 1993 under the Ministry
of Water Resources (MoWR). It was later renamed as the Department of Electricity
Development (DoED) onFebruary 7, 2000. Its main objective is to develop and promote
the electricity sector to improve its financial effectiveness at the national level by attracting
private sector investment. The DoED is responsible for assisting the Ministry in
implementation of overall government policies related to the electricity sector. The major
functions of the DoED include ensuring transparency of the regulatory framework, as well
as promoting and facilitating private sector participation in the power sector by providing
licenses and related services to all hydroelectricity projects.

VII. WATER AND ENERGY COMMISSION SECRETARIAT (WECS)

The Water and Energy Commission (WEC) was established by the GoN in 1975 with the
objective of developing water and energy resources in an integrated and accelerated
manner. Consequently, a permanent secretariat of the WEC was established in 1981 and
was given the name, Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS). The primary
responsibility of the WECS is to assist the GoN, as well as the different ministries related
to water resources and other related agencies in formulating policies and planning projects
in the water and energy resources sector.

VIII. NEPAL MICRO HYDROPOWER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

(NMHDA)
NMHDA was established in 1992 as an umbrella organization for private companies
working in the micro hydropower sector in Nepal. Its major objective is to spread
knowledge and expertise in surveying, designing, and manufacturing of micro hydropower
plants (MHPs) and necessary equipment, as well as installing, commissioning, and after-
sales services of MHPs. It aims to influence the hydropower policy of Nepal for promotion
of micro hydropower technology, provide technical support on MHPs to its members, and
conduct activities for promotion, training and research in this sector. NMHDA has been
working as a liaison between the GoN, various donor agencies, and private companies for
the development of the micro hydropower sector.

IX. THE WORLD BANK (WB)

The WB approved a Power Development Project in 2003 consisting of a US$75.6 million
International Development Association (IDA) credit to assist the GoN in meeting its power

13
 sector objectives. A complementary Carbon Offset Project to provide additional financial
support to AEPC’s Nepal Village. Micro Hydro Program (NVMHP) was established. The
Carbon Offset Project aims to develop a viable offgrid micro hydropower market for
villages, which will not be served by the national grid for at least five years. It offers support
to both the demand and supply sides by providing information and social mobilization
support, technical training, investment subsidy to communities, market information, and
business development support services to micro-hydropower construction and supply
companies. It also brings together rural electrification activities supported through the
micro hydropower component of the World Bank Power Development Project. It is thus
helping improve access to electricity services in rural areas.

X. AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK LIMITED (ADBL)

The ADBL was established in 1968 with the objective of providing institutional credit to
the rural population of Nepal. It first provided credit for turbine mills. When these mills
proved successful, it later started providing credit for electrification of these mills.
Eventually, the ADBL started financing isolated MHPs. ADBL was the pioneer institution
that made investments in the micro hydropower sector of Nepal. It played an important role
in promoting and creating access to alternative energy for the rural population. In the
beginning, ADBL provided credit support and mobilized GoN’s subsidy. However, after
the transfer of the subsidy delivery duties to the AEPC, it has been performing credit
delivery and management roles.

XI. PRACTICAL ACTION

Practical Action’s Energy program in Nepal plans to benefit rural populations by increasing
access to green energy in lighting and cooking. The program focuses on providing an
enabling environment as well as developing and testing new innovative ideas to engage and
increase the role of the private sector in providing access to modern energy resources, and
financing. The program hopes to demonstrate a decentralized energy system with particular
focus on achieving minimum energy standards and total energy access to achieve universal
access to energy by 2030.
Practical Action is involved in planning and implementation of advanced climate resilient
energy access; increasing private sector participation in the energy access market;
mobilizing demand for energy services in marginalized communities; introducing
minimum energy standards for energy access; and ensuring productive end-use of energy
for sustainable livelihood of poor households.
In the 1990s, Practical Action was known as Intermediate Technology Development Group
(ITDG). The then ITDG was actively involved in promoting MHP technology including
financing site installations of pilot projects.
(Source: The scenario of Micro Hydro development in Nepal By Purna N. Ranjitkar)

2.7) Challenges of MH power development in Nepal

There are various technical challenges in MH sector in Nepal. The technical challenges affect
the performance of MH plants and hence affect the energy revenue. This, in turn, will affect
the sustainability of the entire MH sector.
Major technical challenges in MH sectors of Nepal are:
a) Low overall plant efficiency
b) Lack of MH R&D center

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c) Lack of MH components performance testing center
d) Low plant capacity factor
e) Lack of skilled manpower in villages
f) Lack of rigorous trainings to the operators and managers of MH plants
Despite the fact that MH sector has made a huge contribution on providing electricity and
improving living standard of people in rural villages, there is no R&D center solely devoted to
MH plant so far. Thus, there is no organization/ institution that work exclusively for efficiency
monitoring and improvement of MH plants. Since there is no such institution, the MH sector
is plagued by low overall efficiency plants.

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CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
3.1) Selection of Site
The study covers the total status MH and common features of MH in Nepal. In order to meet
the objectives, Sri Mahankal Bahu Udshaya Ghatte Bijuli, Gotikhel-2, Lalitpur had been
selected to conduct the study.
3.2) Data collecting Technique
 Primary Data Collection
 Office of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Department of Electricity Development
(DOED) was visited and various officials were interviewed to collect necessary
information and data.
 Informal discussions regarding the topic with the related officials also proved beneficial
for the project.
 Telephone interviews were also made when required with the officials of above
mentioned offices to access information.
 Informal interview with Mr Keshab Pd Ghimire about the development of micro
hydropower in that area.
 Secondary Data Collection
 As secondary sources of data, newsletters, annual reports, bulletins and broachers
related to the topics were gathered. CBS documents were also collected for more
statistical data. Also websites of related offices were visited for more information.
3.3) Data Analysis
The data and information obtained from primary sources and secondary sources were
thoroughly studied and analysed qualitatively and quantitatively by using appropriate statistical
tools. The analysed data were interpreted using charts, tables, figures, and texts.

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 CHAPTER 4
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1) Phase development of Micro hydropower project

To build a micro hydropower system, you need access to flowing water on your property. A
sufficient quantity of falling water must be available, which usually, but not always, means that
hilly or mountainous sites are best. Other considerations for a potential micro hydropower site
include its power output, economics, permits, and water rights.

4.1.1) Site selection

The two primary components of hydro-electric power are head (vertical drop) and flow. A good
site needs a combination of these two. Higher head sites may be more cost-effective to tap,
since you can use smaller pipe and less water. Ideally, you want water tumbling down the
hillside—this is one sign of a potential hydro site. Water that is dead “flat” won’t do much for
you—if there is no head, there is no power.
If you double the head, you double the power available. The same is true if you double the
flow. Higher head is the least expensive way to generate more power. Increasing the head
increases the water pressure, which requires more robust components, but doesn’t add
significant cost to the turbine. On the other hand, more flow requires a physically larger turbine
to handle the mass. As a general rule, higher flow requires more steel, which drives up the cost.
A good home-scale system might have a vertical drop in the range of 40 to 200 feet.
A steady flow from a perennial stream is ideal. Seasonal streams that suffer wide fluctuations
in flow linked to wet and dry seasons can be designed for, but require compromises in the
design parameters.
Look for a good site rather than the closest site. With high-voltage transmission coupled to
modern MPPT controllers and grid-connected inverters, wire cost for longer distance is often
not the biggest issue. Other good attributes are a convenient and environmentally friendly
intake site, easy access and permitting, and a relatively short pipe run.
Before you even consider hydro sites, realistically assess your energy needs. A common error
is overestimating actual electricity needs. We live in a wasteful society, and use a lot more
energy than is necessary due to inefficient appliances and lack of attention to conservation. The
trouble with overestimating your energy needs is that it makes systems larger and more
expensive, and often such large and expensive projects have a way of not getting done. In a
hydro system, building a system for a wasteful home may mean using more materials and
taking a larger portion of the stream flow.
Because available power comes from head and flow, water sources with little flow or little head
will not work. Flat-water rivers are difficult or impractical to capture energy from, which is
why we see few if any products on the market for this type of site. Large, gently flowing rivers
like the Amazon, Nile, and Mississippi are generally unsuitable for any micro hydro systems
other than paddle-wheel floating designs that seldom generate more than a token amount of
power. A “low-head” site typically needs to dam the whole river or divert a large amount of
water in a canal to create some head.
According to the international energy agency (IEA), large-scale hydro-electric plants
currently supply 16% of the world's electricity. However, such kind of projects requires
tremendous amounts of land impoundment, dams and flood control, and often they produce
environmental impacts [5]. Micro-hydro-electric power plants are one of an alternative source
of energy generation.
They are the smallest type of hydro-electric energy systems. They generate between (5) and
(100) Kilowatt of power when they are installed across rivers and streams.
- It acts much like a battery, storing power in the form of water.
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In particular, the advantages that micro-hydro-electric power plant has over the same size
wind, wave and solar power plants are:
- High efficiency (70-90%), by far the best of all energy technologies.
- High capacity factors (> 50%) compared with 10% for solar and 30% for wind power plant.
-Slow rate of change; the output power varies only gradually from day to day not from
minute to minute.
- The output power is maximum in winter.
Comparative study between small-hydro-electric power plants (up to 10 MW capacity) and
micro-hydro-electric power plants (up to 100 KW capacity) reveals that the former one is
more capital intensive and involves major political decisions causing difficulties in different
implementation phases. On the other hand micro-hydro-electric power plants are low cost,
small sized and can be installed to serve a small community making its implementation more
appropriate in the socio-political context. Many of these systems are "run-of-river" which
does not require an impoundment. Instead, a fraction of the water stream is diverted through a
pipe or channel to a small turbine that sits across the stream. So, there is a scope for
harnessing the micro-hydro-electric power plant potentiality by identifying proper site and
designing appropriate power generation systems. Properly designed micro-hydro-electric
power plant causes minimum environmental disruption to the river or stream and can coexist
with the native ecology. (source: Micro Hydropower Development “A Buyer’s Guide”)

4.1.2) Site potential

The amount of energy available from a creek, stream or river depends on the amount of water
flow per second (flow rate), the height (head) from which waterfalls and the force of gravity.
Power potential in a particular site can be calculated using the following equation:
P=Q*H*g*e
Where,
P= power output in kW
Q= usable flow rate in cubic metres per second (m^3/s)
H= gross head in metres (m)
g= gravitational constant (9.8 m/s^2)
e= efficiency factor (0.5 to 0.7)

4.1.3) Components of a micro-hydropower system

A micro-hydropower system may have the following components depending on the site:
➤An intake or weir to divert stream flow from the water course.
➤A canal/pipeline to carry the water flow to the fore bay from the intake a forebay tank and
trash rack to filter debris and prevent it from being drawn into the turbine at the penstock pipe
intake.
➤A penstock pipe to convey the water to the powerhouse.
➤A powerhouse, in which a water turbine (Pelton, Turgo, Francis, propeller turbines or
pump-as-turbine) converts the energy of the flowing or falling water into mechanical energy
that drives a generator, which in turn generates electrical power.
➤A control mechanism (load controllers) to provide stable electrical power.
➤A tailrace through which the water is released back to the river or stream.
➤electrical transmission lines to deliver the power to its destination.

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 4.1.4) Environmental issues and approvals
It is illegal to take surface water from a stream without first obtaining a water licence or other
approval. Contact your provincial/territorial government offices that deal with land and water
in order to determine what local permits are needed for your area.
Permits and approvals that you may need when constructing a micro-hydropower system
include:
➤environmental approvals (provincial/territorial and federal)
➤agreement regarding the use of water (provincial/territorial)
➤operating agreement (provincial/territorial)
➤land lease agreements (provincial/territorial)
➤permits for the use of navigable waters (federal)
➤building permits (provincial/territorial)]

4.1.5) System sizing

In assessing the feasibility of developing a micro-hydropower system, you should carefully
examine your power and energy requirements. The most important question in planning a
micro-hydropower system is how much energy can be expected from the site and whether or
not the site will produce enough power to meet your energy needs. For a stand-alone micro-
hydropower system, it must be large enough to meet peak power consumption if you want to
be energy-independent. If the site’s potential power output is less than you require, you could
use battery-based systems to help meet consumption peaks. The site’s available head and
flow rate are the major factors that limit the size of the installation, and economics will
dictate the size of the hydropower site that you may want to develop.

4.1.6) Costs
How much will a micro-hydropower system cost? There is no standard answer to this
question because costs depend on site conditions and on how much work you are prepared to
do yourself. In general, with current technologies, the total cost can range from $1,500 to
$2,500 per kilowatt of installed capacity, depending on the system’s capacity and location.
For systems that are less than 5 kW in power output, the cost per kilowatt is approximately
$2,500 or higher because of the smaller size and the cost of additional components such as a
battery bank and inverter.
Hydro costs are site-specific. High-head, low-flow system costs are less than those for a low-
head, high flow system because all components of low-flow systems (e.g. penstock, turbine,
intake and spillway) will be smaller and cheaper.
Generally, micro-hydropower systems have high initial development costs, but very low
annual operation and maintenance costs. It has been demonstrated that hydropower can
produce many times more power and energy than several other sources for the same capital
investment.

4.2) Advantages of MH project

A micro hydropower residential plant is by its very nature located near a reliable water
stream and therefore it can provide electricity to off-grid homes and off-grid ranches
uninterruptedly. Down streaming water are probably the most cost-effective energy source
for off grid power generation.

19
The main advantages of micro hydropower plants are:

 Cost effectiveness; micro-hydro plants cost less than residential solar power plants
and home wind turbines that generate comparable amount of electrical power
 Like any other clean energy production plants, water stream generators are entitled to
energy tax credits, until tax year 2016
 Continuous operation day and night and under any wind conditions (not like solar
(more water during the winter season and the spring season, less water during the
summer season)
 Non-intrusive and efficient; not like the big hydro plants that use dams and create
giant lakes behind the dams, micro-hydro plants only divert a small fraction of the
stream and they don’t need a water storage pool. Therefore the environmental damage
that accompanies the large scale hydro plants is not duplicated by the micro-hydro
dam-less electric plants.
 In rare cases where the site is close to grid lines, part of the produced power can be
sold back to the utility, and the grid serves as backup

20
 CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Based on the findings of the study the following conclusions are drawn accordingly.

1) It is clear that micro-hydro technology has been proved to be one of the viable energy
technologies in Nepal. Micro hydro installation has developed awareness among the
rural people, improved education status of rural children and has promoted some
industrial activities, which have to extent generated employment opportunities.
2) The micro-hydro scheme both owned by individual and communities have supported
to enhance the live hood of rural people.
3) The number of micro-hydro plants for esterification has gradually increased in these
days in compression to milling schemes. This is mainly due to the policy of HMG/N
to provide subsidy only for the plants that generate power for rural electrification.
4) The type and quality of micro-hydro plants and their accessories (electric poles as
well as electro-mechanical and civil structures) varied from plants. As a result, some
of the plants were facing some technical, social and managerial problems. Technical
problems were also due to less attrition given at the time of feasibility study.
Similarly, in some of the plants the power output was quite low and in few cases it did
not work even for months.
5) Some of the plants were not operating/maintaining properly because the operators and
the managers of these projects were not properly trained.
6) With the advent of “Rural Electricity”, the lifestyle of the community people has
changed drastically.

The recommendations are the outcome for the implementations of micro hydropower in
rural areas of Nepal.

1) The entire alternative energy source like biogas, waterpower, solar power, etc will
help to prevent environmental impact on society and improve economic status.
2) Governmental approach would not possible in all fields to mobilize these sources. So,
private and organization involvement is needed.
3) We have a lot of recources in rural areas of Nepal and people who live in rural areas
are far from such type of energy utilizations. It will be better to promote to generate
such energy in rural areas of Nepal.
4) We are rich in hydro power but we are paying high expensive electric charges. So MH
will challenge to the rate if we promote to generate micro hydropower in rural areas
of Nepal.
5) It will be better to grow up energies from alternative source rather than import other
energies from kerosene.

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Limitations

The limitations of micro hydropower plants are:

 A necessary condition to install a micro hydro plant is obviously to have an available

reliable water stream within a few hundred feet from the location of the residence on
the land that belongs to the homeowner (or the ranch owner, as the case maybe)
 One must be very careful not to harm the environment, leave the scenery as beautiful
as it was, don’t harm wildlife, birds and fish as well as the local trees and shrubs. This
can easily be achieved without investing any terrible amount of extra cost
 Even though the micro hydro plant requires low maintenance, with years some of the
pipe run might be covered with vegetation and the access to the pipe might be
difficult; keeping the vegetation off is an extra effort that might require the hiring of
labourers and equipment

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 REFRENCES
1. A year in review fiscal year 2015/16, Nepal Electricity Authority.
2. A final report on development of micro hydropower in Rural Areas of Nepal
“A case study of Lankhar Khola Ilampokhari V.D.C Lamjung District” Pravin
Kr Shrestha and Ram Chandra Poudel”
3. Hydropower Development in Nepal by “Deepak Adhikari”
4. Micro Hydropower Development “A Buyer’s Guide”
5. A community Based on Micro Hydro: A Promising technology in Rural
Development of Nepal by Bishwa Koirala
6. The scenario of Micro Hydro development in Nepal By Purna N. Ranjitkar
7. Nepal Hydropower Development Program (NHDP) by US Aid
8. UNDP. A Review of Energy in National MDG Reports (Read online at :
http://www.ss.undp.org/content/am/aplaws/publication/en/publications/enviro
nment-energy/www-ee-library/sustainable-energy/a-review-of-energy-in-
nationalmdgreports/A%20Review%20of%20Energy%20in%20National%20
MDG%20Reports_2007.pdf.)

23
ANNEX

24
First Micro Hydropower

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26