WISIONS Publication/04
From energypedia
Re-imagining the Future of Micro Hydro-plants in Nepal
Last edit made by Hector Alfaro on 2026-09-11. This is a wiki, do not hesitate to update information by clicking on "Edit with form".
Key Data
Type
Factsheet
Year
2026
Link
Technology
- Hydro
Summary
Off-grid community micro-hydropower plants (MHPs) in Baglung District—Chachalghat, Girindi Khola, and Nisikhola-II—faced severe operational decline and financial uncertainty following national grid expansion. Operating at under 35% capacity, their survival was threatened. Facilitated COMET workshops revealed that these plants produced substantial underutilized energy that could be monetized through grid interconnection rather than wasted. Transitioning required migrating informal user committees into formal cooperative business models to secure Viability Gap Funding via the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund (SECF) and municipal support. Strengthening institutional capacity, financial auditing, and grid safety protocols proved more challenging than technical upgrades. On November 17, 2025, the MHPs successfully connected to the national grid, selling electricity to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and establishing a sustainable, revenue-generating enterprise model.
