| Abstract |
Nine geothermal hot springs have been identified in different parts of Nepal in the update period. Of these, 4 lies in Myadgi district alone, 3 in Dhading district, one each in Sankhuwasabha district and Gorkha district. The new locations in Myagdi district of Central Nepal are: Ratopani (Ghara Village Development Committee, VDC), Nyarchang Tatopani (Shikha VDC), Dagnam Tatopani and Darmija Tatopani. Those found in Dhading District are Jharlang, Lingzo-Tipling Tatopani and Chalish Tatopani, the latter two lie in Ruby Valley. In Gorkha district, one hot springs has been identified at Machha Khola. Only two springs have been identified in Eastern Nepal, namely Nundhaki Tatopani in Sankhuwasabha district and the next one in Janakpur district. Geothermal energy still remained the lowest priority renewable energy resource in the update period. However, much work has progressed at local and individual level for its direct use, mainly for health treatment and tourism development. Infrastructure is extending satisfactorily in a number of existing thermal locations where people use it mainly for bathing. Many positive factors have evolved indirectly for its development through the government. A number of organizations have started to participate in the infrastructure development of geothermal locations. Local promotion committees which are funded by Nepalese diaspora are also taking part in the campaign. The prospect using available geothermal resource for electricity generation is rapidly declining due to the lack of high temperature field, technology to exploit it at reasonable cost and technical manpower. A few attempts at the institutional and personal level are made for its direct use but still unsuccessful for the lack of fund. Financial support from governmental and other agencies to conduct pilot projects for space heating, fish and greenhouse farming remains the highest need at present. Nepal’s energy policy and plans are focused more on generating hydroelectricity. Until now, the country is importing electricity to meet its need. However, the country is poised to export it within a few years. In terms of renewable energy, the focus has been on solar energy and to some extent on wind energy. Solar hybrid system is in place to generate electricity from the wind after the successful completion of two pilot projects. So far, the main factor for sluggish development of geothermal energy is the lack of government attention. Nepal witnessed a major political change in this update period with the promulgation of new constitution in late 2015 which opened the door for legislative election that took place in 2017 resulting in an overwhelming majority government after 16 years. This is seen as a great opportunity to formulate long-term and short-term renewable energy plans and programs, including geothermal. |