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Microhydro electrification and climate change adaptation in Nepal: socioeconomic lessons from the Rural Energy Development Program (REDP)

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Abstract

This article explores the potential for microhydro installations in Nepal to improve adaptive capacity in addition to their ability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. After explaining its methods of data collection—namely field research and research interviews—the article explores the climate change adaptation benefits of microhydro plants being promoted under the Renewable Energy Development Project (REDP). Besides displacing fossil fuels, in particular kerosene for lighting, microhydro electrification offers an effective way of improving community assets and bolstering social resilience (thereby enhancing the adaptive capacity of communities there). Our own survey of REDP project sites reveals how microhydro units have improved community income levels, equalized gender roles, enhanced access to education and information, and reduced migration patterns. The article concludes by highlighting three key lessons—the role of extensive community mobilization, proactive capacity building for efficient electricity use, and the need for comprehensiveness—for those wishing to adapt to climate change in other rural and developing economies.

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Notes

  1. These numbers concern all REDP communities, including other energy improvements such as biogas and improved cook stoves.

  2. As of March 2012, 1 Nepali Rupee was equal to about US$0.012.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vermont Law School, Institute for Energy & the Environment, PO Box 96, 164 Chelsea Street, South Royalton, VT, 05068-0444, USA

    Olivia Gippner, Saroj Dhakal & Benjamin K. Sovacool

Authors
  1. Olivia Gippner
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  2. Saroj Dhakal
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  3. Benjamin K. Sovacool
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin K. Sovacool.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Table 5

Table 5 Microhydro site profiles
Full size table

Appendix 2: Institutions Interviewed for our Study

Agricultural Development Bank of Nepal Limited (ADBL)

Asian Development Bank

Butwal Power Company Limited

Clean Energy Nepal

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)

German Embassy

German Technical Cooperation (GTZ)

Hydrosolutions

Indian Embassy

International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

Kathmandu University

Nepal Alternative Energy Promotion Center

Nepal Electricity Authority

Nepal Hydroelectric and Water Tariff Commission

Nepal Ministry of Energy

Nepal Power Tech Company Limited

Nepal Yentra Shala Energy

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

South Asian Institute of Technology

Stockholm Environmental Institute

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Nepal

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Renewable Energy Development Program

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Whitehouse Institute of Science and Technology

World Bank Nepal

Appendix 3

Table 6

Table 6 Gender sensitivity analysis of climate change impacts in Nepal
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Gippner, O., Dhakal, S. & Sovacool, B.K. Microhydro electrification and climate change adaptation in Nepal: socioeconomic lessons from the Rural Energy Development Program (REDP). Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 18, 407–427 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-012-9367-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-012-9367-5

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