Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§42 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
Risk assessment |
Mining |
Relevant information
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No mining activities can lawfully occur in the absence of a mining licence issued by the Department of Mines and Geology (DMG) and environmental clearance from the Ministry for Forest and Environment. There are two types of licences related to mining activities issued by the DMG: a prospecting licence and a mining licence. The prospecting licence is required for all exploration activities in Nepal. It allows the licence-holder to conduct exploration in an area of not less than 0.25 km2 and not more than 250 km2 for an initial exploration period of two to four years, and can be extended for up to two years. Exploration activities should be completed within two years for ordinary non-metallic minerals and four years for metallic and valuable non-metallic minerals. This type of licence is categorized by the value of the mineral being explored.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§47 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
Relevant information
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The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation is responsible, inter alia, for energy policy, and regulates other bodies related to the sector: (…) the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC), under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, promotes the use of alternative/renewable energy technologies (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§49 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
Relevant information
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The energy sector is key to Nepal's future economic growth. Despite the fact that no major oil, gas, or coal reserves have been found thus far, Nepal would have all it needs to meet its own energy needs plus those of many of its neighbours if it tapped its significant hydroelectric, solar and wind resources. Nepal's river systems comprise approximately 83,000 MW of hydropower potential; its solar power potential is estimated at 1,829 MW-peak (MWp), taking into account an average generation of 33.5 MWp per km2 of land area (utilizing 2% of the best solar irradiance area, out of an available total of 2,729 km2); and its gross wind power potential is calculated to be 3,000 MW. These resources could be complemented with measures to strengthen energy efficiency planning, with significant potential for transmission upgrades and retrofits and more efficient lighting practices.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§50 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
Relevant information
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Moreover, biomass and geothermal energy could also become important energy sources. Because Nepal's economy is heavily based on agriculture, biomass technology may be a useful energy source for its rural and remote mountainous regions. However, research on low-cost and cold climate biogas plants is still required in order to make this technology affordable and accessible. Geothermal energy is also in its earliest stages of development in Nepal. The use of geothermal spring waters is largely confined to bathing and laundry. The absence of adequate knowledge of the utilization of low temperature thermal waters has been a major impediment to the promotion of this resource. Nepal has huge potential to export Himalayan mineral water to various countries, including Gulf countries.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§52 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
Risk assessment |
Energy |
Relevant information
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The period 2016-26 has been declared National Energy Crisis Reduction and Electricity Development Decade (Energy Emergency Decade). In February 2016, a Concept Paper was issued and subsequently endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers, signalling Nepal's intention to achieve zero power shortage within two years and ensure energy security during the period. Other key reforms identified in the Concept Paper include: the use of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) denominated in convertible currencies; the use of government guarantees as security for NEA payments; and a one-time recommendation for foreign currency payments to contractors/consultants. [32]
[32] The paper recognizes procedural problems in acquiring land for projects, and has proposed the streamlining of processes for acquiring land and obtaining environmental clearances for energy projects. Office of the Investment Board online information.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§53 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
Relevant information
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On 8 May 2018, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation launched its White Paper "Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Sector's Current Status: (…) delivering sustainable, reliable, easily available, quality and clean energy to the people by increasing their access to such energy.
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Keywords
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Clean
Energy
Sustainable
Water
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§54 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
Non-monetary support |
Energy |
Relevant information
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Nepal's per capita energy consumption of 0.41 tons of oil equivalent (toe) in 2014 was among the lowest in the world. However, Nepal's energy intensity is about four times greater than the world average, and is the highest in the region largely because of inefficiencies in energy consumption. To improve energy efficiency, the Nepal Energy Efficiency Programme (NEEP) was launched in 2010. The first phase of the NEEP was completed in June 2014. The second phase, which started in July 2014 and is being implemented by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, introduces market-based energy-efficiency services for the private and public sectors; supports the development and introduction of biomass-based improved cooking stoves for rural households; and provides direct advice and expertise to the Government for the establishment of a policy and institutional framework to encourage energy efficiency.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§55 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
Relevant information
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In 2015, biomass, comprising waste and sustainable resources such as firewood, animal dung, and agricultural residue, represented 78% of Nepal's total energy consumption (down from 85% in 2010). (…) Electricity supplies 3% of the energy demand (2% in 2010), with solar and other modern renewables sources of energy representing only 3% of the total (Chart 4.2). (...)
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Keywords
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Bio
Energy
Sustainable
Renewable
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§56 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Energy |
Relevant information
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Nepal's largest available renewable energy resource is hydropower. While economically viable hydropower capacity stands at 42,000 MW, the current installed capacity is 1,075 MW (less than 3% of its proven potential). The slow progress of hydropower development is attributable to inadequate planning and investment in the generation, transmission, and distribution capacity; and delays in project development, caused partly by legal and regulatory inadequacies.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/381 |
S-IV§60 |
Nepal |
2018 |
Sectors |
Risk assessment |
Energy |
Relevant information
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Under the Electricity Act 2049 (1992), no licence is required for hydropower projects of up to 1 MW. For hydropower projects with an installed capacity of more than 1 MW, the following licences are required :
• survey licence, issued by the DoED within 30 days of the receipt of an application. Depending on the capacity of the hydropower project, the survey licence fee per annum ranges from NR 1 million to NR 6 million. The maximum term of the licence is five years. After obtaining the licence, the licensee must carry out a detailed survey and design (as evidenced in a Detailed Project Report (DPR)), a financial and economic analysis, and an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or, as applicable, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA);
(...)
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