Nepal's ambition to become a hydropower exporter, leveraging its abundant water resources from the Himalayas, has been put to the test by recent severe flooding. Analysts suggest that the disaster has exposed the vulnerabilities of Nepal's energy and disaster response systems, which are intertwined with neighboring countries like India and China.
Most of Nepal's terrain is mountainous, and the steep drop of rivers originating in the Himalayas creates favorable conditions for hydropower generation. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Nepal has a technical hydropower potential of approximately 83,000 megawatts (MW), with over 40,000 MW estimated to be commercially viable.
The Nepalese government aims to harness hydropower as a key driver of economic growth. During the monsoon season, when hydropower generation increases, Nepal has sought to export surplus electricity to India and Bangladesh, aspiring to become an energy exporter. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that during the monsoon months of June to September, Nepal exports up to 1,000 MW to India, while importing electricity from India during the dry season from October to May.
However, expanding electricity exports from Nepal requires cooperation with India, as exports to Bangladesh must pass through Indian infrastructure.
Environmental media outlet Dialogue Earth noted that since Nepal and Bangladesh do not share a direct border, Nepal's electricity must traverse India's transmission network, necessitating Indian approval and cooperation for any increase in export volumes. In June, Nepal attempted to raise its electricity exports to Bangladesh to 60 MW, but India only approved an additional 40 MW due to transmission capacity constraints.
The recent flooding has also impacted Nepal's power generation facilities, leading to concerns about electricity shortages even during the monsoon season. The Nepal Electricity Authority reported that approximately 10% of the country's power generation capacity has been affected by the disaster. Consequently, Nepal has requested prior approval from India to receive electricity earlier than usual.
This flooding has highlighted not only Nepal's energy security but also the interconnectedness of its disaster response systems with neighboring countries. A key issue has emerged regarding the sharing of information about glaciers and watersheds in Tibet, China, which are close to the flood's origin.
According to a Reuters report, the two countries discussed cooperation on flood and glacier disaster response at the end of May, but Nepal claims it has not received sufficient information from China since then. In contrast, China maintains that it has provided necessary information in a timely manner.
As the rivers, glaciers, and climate risks of the Himalayas transcend borders, there is a growing call for real-time sharing of hydrological, meteorological, and glacial data among neighboring countries, as well as the establishment of cross-border early warning systems.
The Diplomat, a U.S. foreign affairs magazine, pointed out on September 1 that the recent flooding has once again revealed the 'information gap' in China's Tibet region. The Chinese government has long restricted access to Tibet for foreign media, diplomats, and research institutions, making it difficult to independently assess local damage and the needs of residents during disasters. This contrasts sharply with the relatively free press and information disclosure in Nepal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.