Water Resources Potential of Nepal:
The water resources available all over the world include the entire range of natural water. The water available on earth is estimated to be more than 326 million cubic miles. Out of this 92.7 percent is believed to be in the ocean and in the inland seas and 2.2 percent in the icecaps and glaciers. Only 0.1 percent of the total water is available in the form of fresh water. Nepal is the second richest country in the world after Brazil in water resources. There are about 6000 rivers and rivulets which add up to 45000km in length having a total drainage area about 19100 sq. Km. of which 70 percent lies in Nepal with 800km snow Peak Mountains. The average annual runoff is estimated at about 174 cubic meter. Annually 250 billion cubic meter of water is flowing to India.
Gandaki, Koshi , Karnali and Mahakali constitute the main river system getting major part of their water from snow melt, glacier and small tributaries. The river provide facilities for electricity, irrigation, drinking water, fisheries and fish product, inland navigation etc. However water resources must be managed efficiently and scientifically.
Hydropower Potential of Nepal:
Hydropower Potential of Nepal is estimated at about 83000MW of which 43000MW is commercially viable. At present about 1000MW is harnessed which is less than 1.5 percent of the total potential. This shows the urgency of exploitation of hydropower in Nepal for meeting energy needs and increasing supplies to industrial use and other purpose. According to NEA Sources capacity demand of Nepal at present is about 1500MW where as supply in wet season is about 1000MW only (NEA and Private sector generation).
Causes of Power Crisis in Nepal:
The main causes of energy crises in Nepal are described as follows:
- Lack of detail study of water resources and hydropower project.
- No sufficient funds for study and implementation of hydropower project.
- Seasonal variation in river discharge.
- Lack of storage and multipurpose project to balance ROR schemes in dry season.
- Lack of infrastructure like roads, transmission line, distribution system and substation.
- Lack of investment friendly environment.
- Lack of inter-ministerial co-ordination etc.
Initiatives for Power Crisis in Nepal:
Government of Nepal has made following initiatives to reduce energy crisis in Nepal:
- Action plan of 15,000MW of hydropower development in 10 years.
- Action plan of 25,000MW of hydropower development in 20 years.
- Electricity and water resources act.
- Electricity regulatory commission act.
- Hydropower development policy.
- Environmental protection act.
- Declaration of national electricity crisis and 38 point program
- Formulation of national water plan and water resources strategy.
- Establishment of electricity regulatory commission (ERC)
Kali Gandaki River Basin:
Kali Gandaki basin is situated in the Province number 04, western Nepal. It originates from the Tibetan Mountains just north of the Nepalese boarder and flows south to India boarder. This is one of the main river of Gandaki river basins. In Hindu religion/tradition it is considered as one the biggest holy river in Nepal. This is the only river where shaligram (Bhagwan Bishnu) is found. Gajendra Moksya Dham/Triveni/Ruru/Setibeni Dham/Gupteshwor Dham/Panchakot Dham/Galeshwor dham/Kagbeni Dham and Muktinath Dham also lies in the river basin. The river flows generally to the south crossing higher Himalayan range forming a greatest gorge in the world. South of the gorge, the gradient of the river becomes very steep and the river flows in a canyon with almost vertical walls. it is then joined with few large tributaries like Myagdi Khola, Mistri Khola, Modi Khola, Barighat Khola originating from the great Himalayan range. Kali Gandaki River is also joined by other several southern tributaries which have no glaciers contribution like Lamahi Khola, Bachha Khola, Seti Khola, Andhi Khola, Hugdi Khola, Chhisti Khola, Gundi Khola, Purtighat Khola, Pati Khola, Ridhi Khola etc. Down Stream of its confluence with Andhi Khola, the Kali Gandaki turns west and forms a 180 degree loop and flows about 110km to the east before it join the Trisuli/Budhi Gandaki river to form large Narayani river.
Thus, the Kali Gandaki River having its sources in the Tibetan mountain flows through the higher Himalayan zone, lesser Himalayan zone and lastly join the Trisuli/Budigandaki river at the foothill of Mahabarat/Siwaliks ranges at Devghat near Narayangard forming big Narayani river (Sapta Gandaki). As the drainage area extends from the Mahabharat ranges to the Northern Himalayas, the climate is maily influenced by the monsoon rain and the elevation. The river flowing from higher Himalayan (snow peak mountain) to the foot hill of Mahabarat/Siwaliks range, the climate changes from sub tropical to temperate and alpine.
The river Kali Gandaki originating from snow peak mountain area is perential in nature. Average rainfall of the basin is around 1800mm per year and average flow discharge of Kali Gandaki river recorded near Devghat is 490 m3/s and maximum flood recorded is 34007m3/s with the catchment area of 11374 Sq.km. In Kali Gandaki hydropower project-A, Mirmi maximum flood discharge recorded is 12000m3/s and the average annual flow record is 288m3/s with the catchment area of 7618 sq.km. Therefore, there are ample opportunities to develop hydropower project in series (cascade) in the major kaligandaki river itself and its tributaries from micro/mini, small, medium, large and multipurpose to storage project in the periphery of Kali Gandaki river basin, which can contribute significantly for the reduction of energy crisis in Nepal. In addition to that irrigation and drinking water projects can also be prompted in this basin in conjunction with hydropower development.
Kaligandaki River Basin Map Kalgandaki “A” Hydropower Project
Biggest hydropower project developed in kaligandaki river basin till today is 144 MW Kalaigandaki –A, ROR hydropower project which is located in Mirmi of Shyangja district between Parbat, Gulmi and Palpa. A series of small, medium and large scale ROR and storage/multipurpose hydropower projects are under study, studied, under construction and already constructed in the basin of kaligandaki river.
Some of the prominent large hydropower storage and multipurpose projects of kaligandaki basin are listed as follows;
- 400 MW Kali Gandaki Kowan storage hydropower project, Mustang districts, Ambeshwor Engineering Hydropower Pvt. Ltd
- 164 MW Kali Gandaki gorge storage hydropower project, Mustang and Myagdi district, IBN/YXWCHIC/Hydro solution.
- 300 MW Uttarganga storage project, Baglung district, JICA Master Plan and NEA.
- 828MW Uttarganga storage project, Baglung district, NEA.
- 816 MW Kali Gandaki Modi storage project, Baglung-Parbat, JICA Master Plan and NEA.
- 844 MW Kali Gandaki storage project, Parbat- Baglung – Gulmi district, (in the proximity to Bihadi gaun palika parbat), DOED/SMEC/Jade Consult.
- 1600MW Kali Gandaki 1 Storage Project, Parbat- Baglung- Gulmi JICA Master Plan and NEA.
- 180 MW Adhikhola storage project, Parbat- Shyangja/Galyang
- 380 MW Lower Badi Gad Storage Project, Gulmi district, JICA Master Plan and NEA.
- 660 MW Kali Gandaki storage project, Nawalparasi and Tanahu, JICA Master Plan and NEA.
- 424 MW Kali Gandaki- Tinau diversion multipurpose project, Nawalparasi-Palpa-and Shayangja, GON/MOEWRI.
- 150 MW Devghat storage project, Narayani/Chitwan, JICA Master Plan and NEA.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
Kali Gandaki river basin is rich in water resources with vast potential for generation of hydroelectricity and implementation of irrigation/drinking water project. This shows the urgency of exploitation of hydropower for meeting to energy needs and increase in supplies to industrial use, irrigation and drinking water.
Nepal has already completed 14th development plan since started in 1956. Starting from 1991 the government has introduced series of economic reform and liberalization measures design to promote and open, liberal and market oriented economy with a view to attract foreign investor.
Hydropower development is the most capital intensive energy generating option, which requires huge amount of internal as well as external financial resources. For a capital scarce country like Nepal, inadequacy of capital resources among other constraints is a major problem in tapping the vast water resources potential of Kali Gandaki river basin and Parbat district.
Hydro electricity is the most versatile sources of energy and provide infrastructure for economic development of Nepal due to its advantages over other sources of energy. Though Nepal has a long history (since 1911) of hydro power development, its development is still at infant stage.
Therefore, for the successful implementation of water resources and hydropower development project in Nepal including kaligandaki river basin area following recommendations are made;
- Strong political commitment and leadership from Kali Gandaki basin area.
- Sufficient budget for study and implementation of water resources and hydropower project.
- High Priority for infrastructure development.
- Investment friendly environment.
- Public private and peoples partnership (4P Modality)
- Political stability and security
- Consistent government policies.
- Proper power trading and market arrangement. Priority should be given for domestic, industrial and local use.
- Increase in per capita consumption of electricity.
- Adaptation of one door policy in energy sector.
- River basin approach of implementation.
- Construction of storage and multipurpose water resources project.
- Resolution of riparian issues and downstream benefits.
- Institutional strengthening and capacity enhancement of the stake holders.
- Effective co-ordination between policy and implementation level of organization.
- Development of domestic and cross boarder transmission lines.
- Capacity to be expanded on proper balance of ROR and Storage projects.
- Establishment of effective and independent regulatory commission for hydropower, energy and water resources.
Moti Bahadur Kunwar, Master of Hydrology and Water Resources from University of Roorkee, India, (1986) and Master of Engineering Geology from Tribhuwan University, Nepal, (1980), Specialized in Water Resources Engineering from Colorado State University, USA, (1988). He was a former Project Director of ADB funded CGWISP project, Project Manager of 7000MW Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, Executive Director of 410 MW Nalsing Gad Storage Hydropower Project, CEO of Himal Hydro and General Construction Company.
Mr. Kunwar was former Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Government of Nepal. At Present he is Managing Director of Nepal Engineering Services and Investment Promotion Consultants Pvt. Ltd and he is also a central advisor and Patronage of Dhaulagiri Samaj Nepal and Gandaki Civilization Conservation Awareness Program Nepal.
He writes regularly on energy and water issues.
Corresponding E-mail address:[email protected]/[email protected]