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Status of micro hydro in Nepal

There are many sources of alternative energy available in Nepal such as
Biogas, Solar PV and Thermal, Improved cook stoves and Micro hydro
and some more. Among them, Micro Hydro is one of the most widely
used.
Micro Hydro technology has been providing energy to the people living
in 55 all hill and mountain districts. Out of a total of 75 districts across
the country, who are in off grid remote areas.
Reliable source claim that around 3000 Micro Hydro plants of capacity of
up to 100 kW to electricity to generate have been installed so far and
around 350,000 households have been connected with electricity at least
for light.
Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC), the government agency
dedicated for development and promotion of alternative energy
technologies for rural people is carrying out National Rural and
Renewable Energy Programme (NRREP) for 5 years from 16th July 2012
to 15th July 2017.
It is worth mentioning that the programme supported by Danish
government, Norwegian government, The World Bank, Asian
Development Bank, UNDP, UNCFD and has mentioned that Pico Hydro
plants (up to 10 kW capacity) and Micro Hydro plants (10 kW to 100 kW
capacity) established in between mid - July 2012 to mid-July 2014
generate 6.2 MW of electricity.
It has a set target to establish Pico Hydro, Micro Hydro and Mini hydro
plants (100 kW to 1000 kW) to generate in total of 25 MW of electricity
in the five-year tenure of NRREP.
Earlier, Rural Energy Development Programme with support of UNDP
and the World Bank was conducted for 15 years and worked successfully
in 40 districts.

The private sector companies and firms are working at the limit of 100
kW capacity projects till now, but a segment of the private sector

entrepreneurs claim that they are looking for their real capacity to show
performing for 1000 kW or below projects.