Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities

Description

Nepal, endowed with abundant natural resources and diverse topography, possesses a unique energy landscape characterized by a heavy reliance on hydropower, growing renewable energy initiatives, and substantial dependence on imported fossil fuels. This book provides a comprehensive, evidence-based review of Nepal’s energy policies, strategic interventions, institutional frameworks, and regulatory mechanisms, with the objective of identifying pathways to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy development. The review is grounded in a thorough examination of policy evolution, sectoral achievements, technological advancements, and socio-environmental implications, complemented by quantitative and qualitative data analyses.

Historically, Nepal’s energy sector has been dominated by conventional hydropower, constituting over 90% of domestic electricity generation. Policies from the 1990s onwards, including the Electricity Act (1992), the Hydropower Development Policy (1992), and subsequent amendments, have progressively sought to liberalize the energy market, attract private sector participation, and promote foreign direct investment (FDI).