Solar Street Light Subsidies In Nepal

Solar panels - Nepal

The government of Nepal is continuing to encourage uptake of solar; spurred on by a chronic lack of reliable electricity.

Recently we mentioned Nepal’s government was to make the installation of solar panels compulsory on all government and commercial buildings in the nation’s capital, Kathmandu.

The latest solar push across the nation comes in the form of street lighting.

According to The Kathmandu Post, communities throughout Nepal will be able to install solar street lamps, with the nation’s government providing up to 70 percent of installation costs. Each street lamp costs an estimated Rs 100,000, which is around AUD $1,300 at current exchange rates.

The initiative will see around  10,000 solar street lamps constructed on approximately 710km of roads across the country. It may not sound like a  huge number given the size of the nation; but even a single street lamp in a small community can make a significant positive difference.

“The programme has been launched as the country is reeling under a chronic energy crisis and resulting power cuts,” said Minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Kamal Thapa.

Load shedding and general blackouts are rife in the country; with some areas regularly having their electricity cut for 18 hours a day.

Minister Thapa stated that depending on the program’s success and feedback; it may be extended.

Nepal’s power needs are growing rapidly and existing hydro-electric generation capacity can’t keep up. Hydro power is also becoming increasingly unreliable in dry months. More recently, a blockade at a key border crossing with India has seen supplies of diesel, petrol and gas for cooking dry up; further exacerbating Nepal’s energy woes.

While Nepal has a huge and untapped hydro potential; solar appears to be the favoured clean energy source in the years ahead – a prospect bolstered by the fact the country experiences around 300 days of sunshine a year. In 2014, the World Bank approved a US$130 million credit facility to help address energy shortages in the country; primarily through the use of solar.

Even at an individual level, the Nepalese seem eager to brace solar – although it remains out of reach for many due to the high cost even after subsidies. Still, according to India’s Economic Times, a recent clean energy fair in Kathmandu saw more than USD $18 million worth of solar power systems sold during the three-day event.

Get a quick solar quote, or contact us today toll free on 1800 EMATTERS or email our friendly team for expert, obligation-free advice!

Other Energy Matters news services: