Halting hydro: A review of the socio-technical barriers to hydroelectric power plants in Nepal

Nepal has 83,000 MW (megawatts) of exploitable hydropower resources. Yet the country has tapped less than 650 MW of this potential and hydroelectricity meets less than 1% of total national energy consumption. This article explores why. Using a mixed methods approach consisting of semi-structured res...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy (Oxford) 2011-05, Vol.36 (5), p.3468-3476
Main Authors: Sovacool, Benjamin K., Dhakal, Saroj, Gippner, Olivia, Bambawale, Malavika Jain
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Barriers
Control
Economic data
Electric energy
Energy
Energy consumption
Energy crisis
Energy economics
Energy policy
Exact sciences and technology
General, economic and professional studies
Hydroelectric power
Hydroelectric power stations
Hydroelectricity
Laying
Natural energy
Nepal
Power plants
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Summary:Nepal has 83,000 MW (megawatts) of exploitable hydropower resources. Yet the country has tapped less than 650 MW of this potential and hydroelectricity meets less than 1% of total national energy consumption. This article explores why. Using a mixed methods approach consisting of semi-structured research interviews, site visits, and a literature review, it explores the various factors impeding the use of small-scale and medium-sized hydroelectric power stations in Nepal. It begins by laying out the research methods for the study along with a concept known as the social science systems approach, or socio-technical systems theory. This theory supposes that the barriers to any technology from reaching commercialization are simultaneously social, consisting of values, attitudes, regulations, and price signals, as well as technical. The study then evaluates a “seamless web” of these types of barriers facing hydropower systems in Nepal. It concludes by offering lessons for policymakers and scholars concerned about Nepal as well as energy policy more generally. ► Nepal has 83,000 MW (megawatts) of exploitable hydropower resources, but has tapped less than 650 MW. ► Some barriers to hydro in Nepal are social, consisting of values, attitudes, regulations, and price signals. ► Other barriers are technical, involving challenges related to hydrology, dam design, and maintenance.
ISSN:0360-5442
DOI:10.1016/j.energy.2011.03.051