TABLE OF CONTENTS
2. Introduction:.............................................................................................................2
5. Current Status..........................................................................................................4
5.1 Dissemination.......................................................................................................5
5.2 Application and End Uses....................................................................................5
5.3 Technological Status and potential......................................................................5
5.4 Institutional Status................................................................................................6
6. Environmental Issues...............................................................................................6
10. Conclusion:...........................................................................................................11
11. References:............................................................................................................12
12. Appendix:..............................................................................................................13
Table1: International Installed Capacity of Wind Energy Generator.......................13
Chart1: Mean Annual Wind Speed at 10m. above ground over Nepal....................14
Chart3: Diurnal Variation of Wind on 28 Sep 1990 at Kagbeni..............................16
Chart4: Monthly Mean Wind Speed at Kagbeni (30 ft)...........................................17
Chart5: Monthly Mean Speed at Khumbu (2m).......................................................19
1
Wind Energy in Nepal
1. Background:
The energy resource base of Nepal consists of a combination of traditional (fuel
wood, agriculture residue and animal dung) and other sources such as
hydropower, solar and wind. Today the largest portion of the energy needs of the
country is met by biomass fuels. However, the total sustainable supply of biomass
is only about two-third’s of the demand and deficit is met mostly by mining forest
which pose serious ecological and environmental imbalance and lead to frequent
meteorological and hydrological disasters such as floods and landslides. In urban
areas reliance on the biomass is decreasing as relatively inexpensive kerosene
(subsidized) substitute the scarcer and less convenient biomass fuels. The demand
for commercial energy is growing rapidly. The imported of fossil fuel especially
petroleum products is also raising rapidly (>15% per annum). The use of
petroleum fuel for Nepal proves to be very expensive and foreign dependent for
the country as its 40% of the national foreign currency earning is spent on the
procurement of the same. Electricity consumption grew at an average annual
growth rate of about 12% during last two decade. The main source of the
electricity comes from the hydropower with present installed capacity of about
610 MW and providing electricity to only about 9% of the population of the entire
country and less than 3% of the rural population has this opportunity. Lack of
funding for large projects and because of rugged terrain, the grid extension to rural
areas are difficult and even if installed it is characterized by poor reliability, high
line loss and high coat.
It is therefore, necessary to search for an alternative, cheap, easily available and
environmentally friendly power generating sources. Wind is one of the
alternatives among other resources such as solar, biogas, geothermal etc. Nepal’s
more than 75% of the terrain being mountainous, there are many windy areas
where wind power generation may be possible.
2. Introduction:
Wind energy is created by energy from the sun that reaches the lower atmosphere.
Differences in atmospheric temperatures and the earth’s rotation cause air to
move, generating the wind. Depending on climatic conditions and surface
topography, wind varies significantly in intensity over a day, a season, or a year.
All renewable energy (except tidal and geothermal power), and even the energy in
fossil fuels, ultimately comes from the sun. The sun radiates
174,423,000,000,000-kilowatt hours of energy to the earth per hour. In other
words, the earth receives 1.74 x 1017 watts of power. About 1 to 2 per cent of the
energy coming from the sun is converted into wind energy. That is about 50 to
100 times more than the energy converted into biomass by all plants on earth.
We can harness the wind’s energy through ‘wind farms’ of modern wind turbines
that generate electricity in large scale as well as use wind energy for the
generation of the electricity for the rural scale electrification and direct water
pumping system for rural irrigation and drinking water supply.
2
Wind Energy in Nepal
the end of the year 2000 the total installed capacity of global wind energy
exceeded 18,000 MW, compared under 2,000 MW ten years ago.
Most significant and systematic effort to harness wind energy was under taken by
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) in 1989. Two 10 kW wind turbines generators
(WTG) were installed and operated in Kagbeni of Mustang. The electricity thus
generated was distributed to 60 houses in the village. However, these turb9nes
also broke down after two months for technical flaws.
3
Wind Energy in Nepal
The estimated energy production was 12,000 kW per year generating revenue of
NRs. 40,000. The expected annual operation and maintenance coat was NRs.
200,000.
The investigation in the Mustang fiasco was undertaken by NEA and Dangrid to
ascertain the reasons for the failure. It is reported that though the average wind
speed in Kagbeni is about 9.2 m/s, number of hours with high wind speed is
significant. Moreover, wind turbulence due to the proximity of mountains was not
taken into consideration during the design. When Cresswell Engineering arrived
for the installation, they realized that the wind was stronger than the expected and
they cut 0.5 m of each blade, which may have resulted in unbalanced system.
Furthermore, yaw brakes of the wind turbine generators (WTGs) were very weak
and caused significant stress on the system. The combination of these four reasons
caused the failure.
The main lesson learnt from this failure is that thorough and reliable wind analysis
has to be made before a wind power project is undertaken. It is also important to
use the equipment that has demonstrated capability to function in the given
climatic conditions for several years.
This document outlines several potential areas in the two districts Manang and
Mustang and a detailed course of actions that have to be undertaken to harness
wind energy in Nepal. This document is also the first systematic attempt to study
wind energy in Nepal. In spite of several advantages of harnessing wind energy in
Mustang and Manang as stated in the document, there does not seem to be any
effort undertaken so far in this regard.
5. Current Status
4
Wind Energy in Nepal
5.1 Dissemination
The average installation cost per kW for wind energy has drastically come down
in the past two decades. In Europe, the average cost is about US $ 1000 per
installed kW. The ex-factory price for Chinese made WTG is about US $ 890 per
kW.
The potential survey done by Dangrid in 1992 with UNDP funding shows that 200
MW of wind power can be produced in the 12-km corridor from Kagbeni to
Chusang alone. It is estimated that 500 GWh electricity can be generated annually.
5
Wind Energy in Nepal
Ninth Plan also mentions development of wind energy along with other renewable
resources like solar and micro. It is mentioned that Energy Park ell be established
in the country as a demonstration and training site.
Regarding power wheeling, Hydropower Policy 1992 and electricity Act,. 1992
categorically mentioned that power generated at any place in Nepal can be
transmitted to other places using the Integrated Nepal Grid System. The
Guidelines are specially meant for hydropower plant and nothing is mentioned
regarding generation and transmission of electricity from wind power.
4.4.2 Organizations
There are no institutions specially meant for the development of wind power in
Nepal. No preference is given for wind power development except general
commitment to study prospects of energy utilization and wind mapping.
6. Environmental Issues
Modern wind energy converters (WEC) can generate energy required for
providing it within three months and in twenty years of operation it can generate
up to eighty times more energy than required for its production. A 600kW WEC
can displace 1200 tons of carbon dioxide annually. However, if not properly
planned and installed wind power plants can lead to noise pollution, radio
interference, land-use conflicts, interference in the way of birds, and spoil the
aesthetics.
6
Wind Energy in Nepal
Proper land use planning and placement of arrays can address the latter two
problems. Provision of cable television can overcome radio interference. Modern
WEC are less noisy than their predecessors. Denmark has come up with policies
on noise pollution, which can also be followed in Nepal. The wind power stations
are placed in such way that the noise level in the nearest residential area does not
exceed 40 decibels.
Lack of adequate information on wind characteristics is the primary reason for the
past failures. Besides, lack of appropriate institutions to study wind, design and
implement wind power projects, provide maintenance services, information
dissemination, etc. were also some of the impediments for the developments of the
sector.
9.1 Technological
9.1.1 Technical
Harnessing wind energy in Nepal should follow the strategy given below.
• Installation of micro (≈ 100 Watts) Wind Energy Converters (WEC) in
remote areas to power battery charging stations for lighting.
• Installation of small wind and hybrid systems (Wind-PV, Wind-Diesel,
Wind- Gasifier, etc.) in the Terai and valleys for pumping water for irrigation
drinking purposes.
• Installation of large WEC for supplying electricity to the grid.
In areas with rich wind regime, mountaintops and Trans Himalayan region, micro
WEC or Wind-PV hybrid systems could be promoted to power charging stations.
Depending on the wind regime, amount of water required, height through which
the water has to be pumped, availability of other energy sources, etc., wind energy
can be tapped for pumping water for irrigation and drinking water projects.
Experience shows that the wind regime is richer in Terai during the summer when
water for irrigation is most required.
7
Wind Energy in Nepal
For large-scale wind power projects supplying electricity to the grid, several
preconditions have to be met beforehand. Detail studies of wind characteristics of
specifics sites, transportation facilities, proximity of grid, etc. has to be developed
before hand.
9.2 Institutional
Demonstration Scheme
The government and other concerned agencies have to make a concerned effort to
install and operate a successful WTG to demonstrate the reliability and potentials
of the technology. Kagbveni of Mustang is the obvious choice to undertake the
demonstration scheme, as it is the site of the first effort to generate electricity
8
Wind Energy in Nepal
from wind and is the only site in Nepal where detailed wind characteristics has
been recorded for several years. Further more, a five-star resort hotel, requiring
several hundred kW power has recently been established in Jomsom. Presently,
the hotel management plans to use electricity from Chokhopani Minihydro power
plant and its own diesel generators powered by fuel flown all the way from
Pokhara. However, using wind energy for producing process heat for the hotel
would be far more sensible. A detailed study to determine the size of the WEC
should be carried out immediately in this regard.
Further demonstration schemes for pumping water and generating electricity for
battery charging stations have to be installed in different parts of the country. A
wind powered battery charging station should be established in remote district like
Manang, Palpa and Solukhumbu, which are believed to have enough wind to run
such stations. Wind Turbines for pumping water could be installed at several sited
in the Terai to demonstrate the technical as well as financial feasibility of such
system. Demonstration schemes could also include a wind-diesel hybrid system to
run irrigation and drinking water pumps in the rural Terai.
A five-year program to collect and analyze wind data would definitely identify
potential sites for harnessing wind power in a large scale. Preparation and
dissemination of a Wind Atlas showing all potential sites in the country would be
the first step in attracting the potential investors.
Note: Chart1: Mean Annual Wind Speed at 10m. above ground over Nepal
Entrepreneurship development
Private sector workshops should be encouraged to fabricate as much of the
components as possible within the country. Most of the components for wind
9
Wind Energy in Nepal
Private Sector should be involved in the promotion of wind energy from the
beginning both as investor and installer and provide after sales service. Private
workshops like Krishna Grill that have already gained some experience on the
wind energy should be supported to manufacture lower end technologies like wind
pumping system and should be gradually take up production of ancillaries for
high-tech items like WTG. Later, the private sector has to take the lead role in
identifying sites, undertaking design works, equipment selection, installation and
operation and maintenance.
Legal provision regarding occupation of public land and impact due to noise be
made so that entrepreneurs can work freely. Newly enact5ed “Local Government
Act” be assimilated with future legal policy on wind energy development.
In the beginning, AEPC should focus on building its own capability on design and
equipment selection, which should gradually be transferred to private sector
organizations.
10
Wind Energy in Nepal
9.4 Finance
9.4.1 Subsidy
The present practice of providing 50% and 75% subsidy on electrical equipment
for renewable energy technologies like solar PV and micro hydro would not be
relevant in the case of wind power. This subsidy regime came into being to
encourage micro hydro milling plants to add-on electric generators to the existing
system to electrify the powerhouse and the settlement in the vicinity. Subsidy
should be provided for the total cost including both electrical and mechanical
equipment, battery charging station, tower and foundation works and
transportation.
Resource Mobilization
Local Resource:
For long-term sustainability of renewable energy sector in Nepal, it is proposed
that financial resources should be mobilized not only from donors but also locally.
Non-renewable energy sources could be taxed for Renewable Energy
Development Fund (REDF). It is proposed that for each imported liter of
petroleum products a NRs. 0.01 should be levied to discourage the use of
imported fossil fuel. Similarly, levying NRs. 0.01 per each unit (kWh) of
electricity sold by NEA will support rural masses who will benefit from the
promotion of RETs. This will generate enormous amount of financial resources
l0cally and will support in reducing donor-dependency.
External Support:
Initially, external assistance should be sought for human resource development,
preparation of Wind Energy Master Plan and Wind Atlas, technology transfer,
local production of components, research and development, demonstration
scheme, etc. However, efforts should be made initially on to develop local
capability in these areas.
10. Conclusion:
Wind energy can be one of the most efficient, environment friendly and renewable
energy for the context of Nepal. The nature of wind energy available in Nepal
suggest that the detail site-specific measurement of hourly wind speed is
prerequisite for designing and evaluating the performance of wind energy
electricity generation system. However, the wind energy utilization for pumping
11
Wind Energy in Nepal
water may not require sophisticated wind speed database. At the same time, pilot-
phase demonstration of small-scale wind energy systems may be carried out with
the active participation of local communities. There may be a possibility of
utilizing wind energy to develop the hybrid system with other renewable energy
technologies, so that optimum use of different renewable energy resources can be
made.
11. References:
Center for Energy Study (January 2000). Renewable Energy Perspective Plan of
Nepal, 2000-2020: An Approach, Vol-I. Submitted to Alternative Energy
Promotion Center, Lalitpur Nepal.
Center for Energy Study (January 2000). Renewable Energy Perspective Plan of
Nepal, 2000-2020: An Approach, Vol-II. Submitted to Alternative Energy
Promotion Center, Lalitpur Nepal.
Schwartz, M.N.; Elliott, D.L.; Gower, G.L. (1992). "Gridded State Maps of Wind
Electric Potential." Windpower '92 Conference; October 19-23, 1992; Seattle,
Washington. Washington, DC: American Wind Energy Association; pp. 50-58.
America Takes Stock of a Vast Energy Resource. (1992). Produced under the
auspices of the Utility Wind Interest Group; published by the Electric Power
Research Institute; 10 pp. Available from the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory, Golden, CO.
12
Wind Energy in Nepal
12. Appendix:
Source: http://www.seda.nsw.gov.au/ren_wind.asp
13
Wind Energy in Nepal
Chart1: Mean Annual Wind Speed at 10m. above ground over Nepal
14
Wind Energy in Nepal
15
Wind Energy in Nepal
16
Wind Energy in Nepal
17
Wind Energy in Nepal
18
Wind Energy in Nepal
19
Wind Energy in Nepal
20