"World's cheapest hydrogen energy could be produced in Nepal"

Kathmandu, April 26: Stakeholders and experts have stressed that a focus should be laid on the production of alternative energy including hydrogen energy, solar energy and wind energy along with the hydroelectricity in Nepal.     

At a session on 'Pioneering the Clean Energy Synergy' at the sideline of the Himalayan Hydro Expo 2024 organized by the Independent Power Producers' Association, Nepal (IPPAN) in the capital city, they said alternative energy has no option for energy security in the country.     

On the occasion, hydrogen expert and Professor of Kathmandu University Biraj Singh Thapa said Nepal should get prepared for hydrogen energy since its price is expected to lower 62 percent by 2030.     

He argued a study carried out in the UK has shown that the production of hydrogen energy is inexpensive in Nepal compared to other countries. "World's cheapest hydrogen energy could be produced in Nepal through the mixture of solar, wind and hydro," Prof Dr Thapa shared.     

Stating that the Kathmandu University carried out a symbolic job by running hydrogen vehicle, Prof Dr Thapa called for collaboration of the government and private sector for this.     

"Now the government and other sector should invest in this area. Ammonia is emerging as an energy for future. Research work is being carried out on this in partnership between the Nepal Electricity Authority and the Kathmandu University," he added.     

Member of IPPAN Kuber Mani Nepal said solar energy could be an alternative to traditional energy, which is 60 per cent of the total domestic power consumption in the country.     

He viewed that a separate policy was needed to deal with the solar energy adding that existing Electricity Bill states very little about it.     

Alternative energy producer Kushal Gurung shared that his company was experimenting production of energy from the use of organic waste in Pokhara adding that more than 2.5 million tonnes of organic fertilizer could be produced in Nepal only if 20 per cent of the country's compostable waste was utilized.     

On the occasion, CEO of Simple Energy Apar Neupane, Deputy Director of Alternative Energy Promotion Centre Dr Laxman Ghimire, CDE of Ministry of Energy Laxmi Jha, former President of IPPAN Shailendra Guragain and others expressed their views on diverse scopes of the alternative energy. (RSS)