1.

Introduction of study

Nepal is endowed by a huge hydropower potentiality which remains untapped. It is

estimated that the rivers flowing from Nepal contribute about 71% of the dry se
ason flow and 41% of the total annual average flow of the Ganges (..). The annua
l average run-off within the Nepalese territory is estimated to be 174 billion c
ubic meters. The surface water resources can be used for hydro-electricity produ
ction, irrigation and drinking water. The change in elevation from the high Hima
layas in the North to the plains in the South over a short width of 150 to 230 k
m generates substantial hydraulic head which is the base of hydropower potential
.
In 1966, Dr. Hari Man Shrestha assessed the total hydropower potential in Nepal
as 83,290 MW as a research work for his Ph.D.Dr Hari Man Shrestha estimated hydr
opower potential of Nepal in 1966, while he was doing his PhD, nothing like comp
uter existed; not even calculator, it was he who announced that theoretical pote
ntial to be 83,000 (83,290) MW and economic potential 43000 (43,133) MW (NEF,201
1:12). He probably was doing his work with the only assistance of slide-rule (Ra
tna Sansar Shrestha: 2012 march 6). Later a study conducted by Water and Energy
Commission concluded 42,000 MW as commercially viable potential (Ref..) shown in
Table 1 .
But, recently Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) has also started a
study to estimate the total hydro-potential of the country and it is believed th
at resulting figures will be much higher than 83,000 MW ( ).
However, total installed hydroelectricity capacity in Nepal today stands at only
698MW.3 Clearly there is a large gap between electricity that is and could be s
upplied. Of more concern is Nepal s inability to meet present electricity demand.
An urgent need exists for bridging this gap to meet the goals of sustainable dev
elopment for which it is a prerequisite that [ ] energy must be available at all ti
mes, in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices . 4
Development of Nepal s hydropower potential not only could ensure speedy growth of
national economy but also cause ripples in the regional economy if integrated w
ater resource development through domestic, bilateral and regional co-operation
is under taken with prime considerations to the national policy. Mega size bilat
eral and multilateral cooperation projects result in manifold benefits and posit
ive impacts in the economy through employment opportunities in the country in ad
dition to benefits from allocation of benefits.
But despite the fact that hydropower potential can be basis of our economic deve
lopment and growth, country has not been able to harness this important resource
significantly.