Himalayan Hydropower by Cheryl Colopy published in www.livingonearth.org (9/10/2004)

In the midst of 'Kathmandu Burning', 'Hallai Halla Ko Desh' or so many other unfortunate situations in Nepal this article is inspiring and takes you away from all the golmals.


The mountains of Nepal funnel water to some of the most powerful rivers in southern Asia. Now, despite environmental and financial concerns, small-scale hydropower projects are supplying electricity to Nepalese villages, Buddhist temples and even Internet cafes. Reporter Cheryl Colopy has our story

After going to the website you can scroll down the page and you will see that you can read the excerpt or listen it in real player or MP3.

-iti

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The mountains of Nepal funnel water to some of the most powerful rivers in southern Asia. Now, despite environmental and financial concerns, small-scale hydropower projects are supplying electricity to Nepalese villages, Buddhist temples and even Internet cafes. Reporter Cheryl Colopy has our story

I Give up, here is the URL:

http://www.livingonearth.org/ETS/organizations.php3?action=printContentItem&orgid=33&typeID=18&itemID=221&User_Session=e67e3824cadba10f3b62d0fd00318654

Micro-hydro has an excellent prospect in Nepal. However, the Maoist have played a devastating role in this sector. The donors have money to spend, the local micro-hydro experts have proposals ready to go, the villagers desperately want the electricity. Yet, new projects have virtually stopped cold. The old projects are being destroyed or stopped for lack of maintenance. The micro-hydro experts are afraid to go to the villages. Most importantly, they cannot take the explosives to the project site for blasting work - Maoist can't wait get their hands on them. The micro-cydro experts, who were busy making a good living a few years ago, are practically unemployed - other than taking occasional assignment in other Asian countries. It's a pity. Everywhere in the country, we see rotten spots. No cure in sight.

You cannot even be happy for a second. It is indeed gloomy.

.
Several years ago, a coalition of environmentalists and economists defeated a major World Bank project. Since then, no large dams have moved past the planning stage. Former Water Minister Dipak Gyawali was one of those opposed. He says big dams mean big debt.

I wonder how the Energy Specialists around the world would react by Gyawali's statement "big dams mean big debt" !!!!!!!! I think he badly needs to get the lesson of "Integrated devpt. and economics of Energy Projects" and so does his follower Bikash Pandey from Winrock.

"Sonar ko 100 shots and Lohar ko 1 shot"
A country like Nepal that is endowed with immense hydropower potential resources should go for Larger Hydro Power Projects rather than depending on several micros FOR long term scenario.

I only hope the Maoist sometimes COme up with some COnstructive ideas.
I cannot sill believe that our Country is the SEcond RIchest Nation in terms of natural water resources. I agree with the folks who sees A BIG Hyrdo ELEcticity Plant as the relacement for all the smaller plants or just another backup Power Storage Souce. That way our Electrcity Biils can GO down and more and more people can afford to use the electricity for their domestic or commerical purposes. THis way the TOtal Revenue should infact go Higher. I guess RUNNING this kind of Projects Successfully will add more to our Civilization. I can't believe why the GOVernmental Bodies/forces can get these Grand Projects into effect. I also can't believe Maoists are offending PRojects of our national interests.

The more I think about it the more I get frustrated. However, there's a HOPE.

Jai Nepal.

oops A typo...

I meant
"I can't believe why the GOVernmental Bodies/forces CAN'T get these Grand Projects into effect.

Jai Nepal

.Proud Nepali, u wrote my words. That's what i meant.
See, Marsyangi hydro project (70 MW), at present, is given a pressure to halt the work. It has affected not only the continuity of the project construction but also to many employees. Furthermore, I doubt if any foreign fund wud be there or not in future if such interruption occurs at work (I think Germany is helping for Marsyangdi). 70 MW is not a small project. We have more candidate hydro projects like West Seti, Arun-III. Why we have to GO FOR MICRO PROJECTS.. no meaning at ALL !!!!!!

With the surplus energy, we can earn Hydro Rent.
The power system of Nepal is tiny. Hence, real rent does not exist if the system is small and resources are more. In other words, real rent is not coming with domestic use. Also, the royalty on hydro in Nepal is not scientific. Nepal cannot consume all the resources available in the country. While there is power scarcity in India and Indian market is too big while compared to that of Nepal, Nepal hydropower resources can be utilized in India. And with the power export to India, an economic rent of hydropower project of Nepal can be obtained. Same thing happening in Canada, Sweden, Norway. That would certainly help in the exponential rise of our economy.

However, the current pricing and policies on hydro resources in Nepal are not designed in accordance with such objectives. Even though Nepal government were to collect the economic hydro rent by modifying the pricing and policies, it would require some estimates of potential rent.

Keep this thread Alive.