The future of hydropower development in Nepal: Views from the private sector

Private sector actors are taking on an increasingly prominent role in energy transitions, including in hydropower development and finance. Yet, there is little empirical research on the topic. This study covers private sector views on accelerating hydropower investment in Nepal, using Q methodology. Three main viewpoints were identified among 17 interviewed hydropower developers, planners, and investors based in Nepal: 1) Efforts need to be focused on reforming hydropower policies and admin-istration at the national level; 2) Funds for hydropower development need to be increased and sought from a diversity of domestic and foreign private sources; 3) Nepal needs to integrate its energy grid with its South Asian neighbours, starting with India. Areas of strong disagreement include the role of political stability in enabling hydropower development, as well as modes of engagement with Indian, Chinese, and Western partners. Areas of consensus include the need to smoothen land acquisition procedures as well as discomfort with the state-owned Nepal Electricity Authority's perceived monopolistic status in the sector. Overall, this study contributes to debates on private sector involvement in hydropower development with a nuanced empirical assessment of views which contain clear visions for an inde-pendent and domestically driven future of the country's hydropower sector. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Private sector actors are playing an increasingly important role in energy transitions, particularly in hydropower development and finance. This study explores private sector perspectives on accelerating hydropower investment in Nepal, revealing three main viewpoints. The research highlights areas of disagreement such as policy reform and funding sources, as well as areas of consensus like facilitating land acquisition procedures and concerns about monopolistic practices in the sector.