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Experts doubt micro hydel plan
KATHMANDU, JUL 07 -
Experts have pointed out challenges for the government’s plan to build 50-100 megawatt micro-hydro projects over the next three years.
According to the three-year Interim Plan beginning 2010, the projects are aimed at making electricity available in every village in the country with the potential to generate electricity but without power connectivity.
At an interaction programme on Wednesday titled “issues and challenges in micro hydropower development in Nepal”, they pointed out economic challenges that could hamper the success of the targeted projects.
“There are numerous examples of projects being discontinued due to the lack of maintenance cost and skilled manpower,” said Govinda Nepal, who coordinated the drafting of the Three-Year Plan for the National Planning Commission (NPC).
The event also discussed sectors that require investment particularly for the projects in remote areas.
“Transport constraints hinder the development of the projects in hilly areas. They require additional expenses which can be difficult to meet,” said Sanjeeb Baral, Senior Divisional Engineer at the Department of Electricity Development.
The success of micro-hydro projects can be a lasting solution to power cuts, deforestation and industry closures. While it takes years to construct a mega hydroelectricity project, plants requiring short installation time are crucial to meeting the demand for power.
Posted on: 2010-07-08 07:57
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