Nepal Geography case study

• What is the date of the case study on local scale energy sustainability in an LIC?

  19.03.2024
• What is the main focus of the case study in Nepal?

  To investigate how energy sustainability can be met on a small scale in a LIC.
• In which hemisphere is Nepal located?

  Northern Hemisphere
• What geographical features characterize Nepal?

  Nepal is very mountainous, including the Himalayas and Mt. Everest.
• What type of country is Nepal in terms of geography?

  Nepal is a landlocked country.
• What are the barriers to energy supply in Nepal?

  Barriers include being landlocked, steep relief, low level of development, and lack of raw materials.
• Why is being landlocked a barrier for Nepal?

  It makes it difficult and costly to import heavy raw materials such as coal and oil.
• How does Nepal's low level of development affect its energy infrastructure?

  It means the government lacks the money or technology to build infrastructure or exploit renewable energy resources on a large scale.
• How does the steep relief of Nepal impact energy supply?

  It makes mining for raw materials and building infrastructure to transport them very difficult.
• What is the total population of Nepal?

  30.03 million people.
• What percentage of the population in Nepal struggles to access energy?

  80% of the population struggles to access energy.
• What is the average life expectancy in Nepal?

  69.3 years.
• What is the average salary (GDP) per year in Nepal?

  $1,208 per year.
• What is the literacy rate in Nepal for those over the age of 15?

  Approximately 701 out of 1000.
• What is Nepal's Human Development Index (HDI) ranking?

  0.602, ranked 143 out of 190 countries.
• What are the ethnic majorities in Nepal?

  The ethnic majority are Hindu and Buddhist.
• What is a solution for energy supply found in remote villages of Nepal?

  Micro-hydro power on a very small scale.
• What is the name of the remote village in Nepal mentioned in the case study?

  Darbang.
• How do local people manage their micro-hydro power plants?

  They build and maintain their own systems, allowing them to fix issues without external help.
• What is the environmental impact of micro-hydro power plants in Nepal?

  They avoid the damaging environmental and social effects that larger hydroelectric power schemes cause.
• What traditional source of energy does micro-hydro power help to reduce reliance on?

  Wood.
• What are the other possible energy sources mentioned for Nepal?

  • Fast-growing neem, eucalyptus, and tamarind trees provide fuel for biogas.
  • Biogas plants convert animal waste into gas for cooking.
  • Gasifiers burn wood to generate electricity for lights and water pumps.
  • Solar panels heat community center's water supply.
  • Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity.
  • Compost toilets produce extra biogas and fertilizer.
• Why is solar energy not suitable in Nepal?

  Due to the limited number of sunshine hours and the costs of panels and maintenance technology.
• What are the barriers to energy security in Nepal?

  Barriers include being landlocked, mountainous terrain, and difficulties in importing fossil fuels.
• What does micro-hydro power involve?

  It involves an electric grid system that channels water from a stream or river to generate electricity.
• How is water used in the micro-hydro power system?

  Water is channeled into a forebay tank from a stream or river, which then removes sediment before it falls to a powerhouse.
• What is the role of the government of Nepal in the micro-hydro projects?

  The government, with help from the World Bank, is helping to create these plants.
• Where is Darbang located?

  Between Kathmandu and the Tibetan border.
• How much energy does the Ruma Khoa micro-hydro power plant produce?

  51 kilowatts of energy.
• How many households does the Ruma Khoa micro-hydro power plant supply energy to?

  It supplies energy to 700 households in 5 villages.
• What impact has the micro-hydro scheme had on Darbang?

  It has boosted the number of new industries, such as furniture workshops and a cement block maker.