Biogas: A promising renewable technology and its impact on rural
households in Nepal
Hari Katuwal
*
, Alok K. Bohara
University of New Mexico, 1915 Roma Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131-1101, United States
Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2668
2. Current status of consumption of energy and biogas technology in Nepal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2669
2.1. Current status of energy consumption in Nepal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2669
2.2. Biogas: a potential source of energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2669
3. Historical background and current status of biogas in Nepal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2670
4. Benefits of biogas in Nepal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2670
4.1. Health benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2671
4.2. Agricultural benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2671
4.3. Environmental benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2672
4.4. Workload reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2672
4.5. Women empowerment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2673
4.6. Employment generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2673
5. Challenges and future of biogas in Nepal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2673
6. Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2674
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2674
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2674
1. Introduction
Energy is one of the basic inputs for all economic activities. Per
capita energy consumption is one of the major determinants as
well as indicator of economic development. In other words, per
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 13 (2009) 2668–2674
ARTICLE INFO
Article history:
Received 29 April 2009
Accepted 19 May 2009
Keywords:
Nepal
Renewable energy
Biogas
Environment
Green house gases
CDM
ABSTRACT
Nepal, one of the least developed countries, is characterized by very low per capita energy consumption.
Because of a lack of other commercial sources of energy, the country relies heavily on traditional fuel
source, especially firewood. In order to solve the energy problem in rural areas, the country initiated
production and distribution of several renewable energy technologies. Among several technologies,
biogas has been proved to be viable and emerged as a promising technology. It has been one of the most
successful models for the production of clean, environmental friendly, cost effective source of energy and
has multiple benefits. In this paper we present the current state and discuss benefits of the biogas
technology in Nepal. Improved health, increased crop productivity, saved time for women are some of
the major benefits to the users. It provides economic benefit to the country through reduced
deforestation and carbon trading. In addition, by reducing green house gas emission, the technology
helps in mitigating global warming and climate change. Thus biogas is a renewable, sustainable and
clean source of energy that provides multiple benefits; locally and globally. With some exception, cattle
dung has been used primarily as an input and the technology is limited to households only. More
systematic and comprehensive study supported by research and development is required to use other
degradable waste such as municipal waste to produce biogas on a large scale.
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* Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 5052775560; fax: +1 505277 9445.
E-mail address: katuwalh@unm.edu (H. Katuwal).
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doi:10.1016/j.rser.2009.05.002