Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities

Yam Krishna Poudel; Rajiv Kumar

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11

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Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities

Yam Krishna Poudel^*

, Rajiv Kumar

Published in International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy (Volume 14, Issue 2)

Received: 6 March 2025 Accepted: 17 March 2025 Published: 27 April 2025

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Abstract

Nepal’s energy sector is at a critical juncture, driven by the need for sustainability, energy security, and economic growth. This research examines Nepal’s energy policies and strategies through PESTLE analysis, SWOT analysis, and a global comparative framework to assess key enablers, barriers, and future directions. The study explores government initiatives in hydropower expansion, renewable energy promotion, and carbon neutrality commitments, assessing their alignment with international energy transition trends. The PESTLE analysis evaluates political stability, economic viability, social implications, technological advancements, legal frameworks, and environmental sustainability in shaping Nepal’s energy landscape. The SWOT analysis identifies strengths such as abundant hydropower resources, weaknesses including seasonal energy variability, opportunities in regional energy trade, and threats posed by climate change and investment constraints. Additionally, a comparative analysis of global energy policies highlights Nepal’s position in the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Findings indicate that while Nepal has made notable progress in renewable energy adoption and policy development, challenges such as regulatory inefficiencies, inadequate grid infrastructure, and financial limitations persist. To ensure long-term energy security and sustainability, Nepal must prioritize effective policy implementation, public-private partnerships, and investment in smart grid technologies. This research provides a comprehensive framework for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers, offering insights into optimizing Nepal’s energy strategies in alignment with global best practices and emerging trends in clean energy development.

Published in	International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy (Volume 14, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11
Page(s)	66-79
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Energy Policy, Sustainable Development in Nepal, Renewable Energy, Energy Security Framework

References

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Poudel, Y. K., Kumar, R. (2025). Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities. International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 14(2), 66-79. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11

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Poudel, Y. K.; Kumar, R. Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities. Int. J. Sustain. Green Energy 2025, 14(2), 66-79. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11

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Poudel YK, Kumar R. Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities. Int J Sustain Green Energy. 2025;14(2):66-79. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11,
  author = {Yam Krishna Poudel and Rajiv Kumar},
  title = {Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities
},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {66-79},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsge.20251402.11},
  abstract = {Nepal’s energy sector is at a critical juncture, driven by the need for sustainability, energy security, and economic growth. This research examines Nepal’s energy policies and strategies through PESTLE analysis, SWOT analysis, and a global comparative framework to assess key enablers, barriers, and future directions. The study explores government initiatives in hydropower expansion, renewable energy promotion, and carbon neutrality commitments, assessing their alignment with international energy transition trends. The PESTLE analysis evaluates political stability, economic viability, social implications, technological advancements, legal frameworks, and environmental sustainability in shaping Nepal’s energy landscape. The SWOT analysis identifies strengths such as abundant hydropower resources, weaknesses including seasonal energy variability, opportunities in regional energy trade, and threats posed by climate change and investment constraints. Additionally, a comparative analysis of global energy policies highlights Nepal’s position in the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Findings indicate that while Nepal has made notable progress in renewable energy adoption and policy development, challenges such as regulatory inefficiencies, inadequate grid infrastructure, and financial limitations persist. To ensure long-term energy security and sustainability, Nepal must prioritize effective policy implementation, public-private partnerships, and investment in smart grid technologies. This research provides a comprehensive framework for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers, offering insights into optimizing Nepal’s energy strategies in alignment with global best practices and emerging trends in clean energy development.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities

AU  - Yam Krishna Poudel
AU  - Rajiv Kumar
Y1  - 2025/04/27
PY  - 2025
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11
T2  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
JF  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
JO  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
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AB  - Nepal’s energy sector is at a critical juncture, driven by the need for sustainability, energy security, and economic growth. This research examines Nepal’s energy policies and strategies through PESTLE analysis, SWOT analysis, and a global comparative framework to assess key enablers, barriers, and future directions. The study explores government initiatives in hydropower expansion, renewable energy promotion, and carbon neutrality commitments, assessing their alignment with international energy transition trends. The PESTLE analysis evaluates political stability, economic viability, social implications, technological advancements, legal frameworks, and environmental sustainability in shaping Nepal’s energy landscape. The SWOT analysis identifies strengths such as abundant hydropower resources, weaknesses including seasonal energy variability, opportunities in regional energy trade, and threats posed by climate change and investment constraints. Additionally, a comparative analysis of global energy policies highlights Nepal’s position in the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Findings indicate that while Nepal has made notable progress in renewable energy adoption and policy development, challenges such as regulatory inefficiencies, inadequate grid infrastructure, and financial limitations persist. To ensure long-term energy security and sustainability, Nepal must prioritize effective policy implementation, public-private partnerships, and investment in smart grid technologies. This research provides a comprehensive framework for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers, offering insights into optimizing Nepal’s energy strategies in alignment with global best practices and emerging trends in clean energy development.

VL  - 14
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Yam Krishna Poudel

Department of Computer Science Engineering, RIMT University, Punjab, India

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9438-0395
Rajiv Kumar

Department of Computer Science Engineering, RIMT University, Punjab, India

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Poudel, Y. K., Kumar, R. (2025). Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities. International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 14(2), 66-79. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11

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Poudel, Y. K.; Kumar, R. Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities. Int. J. Sustain. Green Energy 2025, 14(2), 66-79. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11

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Poudel YK, Kumar R. Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities. Int J Sustain Green Energy. 2025;14(2):66-79. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11,
  author = {Yam Krishna Poudel and Rajiv Kumar},
  title = {Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities
},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy},
  volume = {14},
  number = {2},
  pages = {66-79},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsge.20251402.11},
  abstract = {Nepal’s energy sector is at a critical juncture, driven by the need for sustainability, energy security, and economic growth. This research examines Nepal’s energy policies and strategies through PESTLE analysis, SWOT analysis, and a global comparative framework to assess key enablers, barriers, and future directions. The study explores government initiatives in hydropower expansion, renewable energy promotion, and carbon neutrality commitments, assessing their alignment with international energy transition trends. The PESTLE analysis evaluates political stability, economic viability, social implications, technological advancements, legal frameworks, and environmental sustainability in shaping Nepal’s energy landscape. The SWOT analysis identifies strengths such as abundant hydropower resources, weaknesses including seasonal energy variability, opportunities in regional energy trade, and threats posed by climate change and investment constraints. Additionally, a comparative analysis of global energy policies highlights Nepal’s position in the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Findings indicate that while Nepal has made notable progress in renewable energy adoption and policy development, challenges such as regulatory inefficiencies, inadequate grid infrastructure, and financial limitations persist. To ensure long-term energy security and sustainability, Nepal must prioritize effective policy implementation, public-private partnerships, and investment in smart grid technologies. This research provides a comprehensive framework for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers, offering insights into optimizing Nepal’s energy strategies in alignment with global best practices and emerging trends in clean energy development.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Review of Energy Policies and Strategies in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities

AU  - Yam Krishna Poudel
AU  - Rajiv Kumar
Y1  - 2025/04/27
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11
T2  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
JF  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
JO  - International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy
SP  - 66
EP  - 79
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1549
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsge.20251402.11
AB  - Nepal’s energy sector is at a critical juncture, driven by the need for sustainability, energy security, and economic growth. This research examines Nepal’s energy policies and strategies through PESTLE analysis, SWOT analysis, and a global comparative framework to assess key enablers, barriers, and future directions. The study explores government initiatives in hydropower expansion, renewable energy promotion, and carbon neutrality commitments, assessing their alignment with international energy transition trends. The PESTLE analysis evaluates political stability, economic viability, social implications, technological advancements, legal frameworks, and environmental sustainability in shaping Nepal’s energy landscape. The SWOT analysis identifies strengths such as abundant hydropower resources, weaknesses including seasonal energy variability, opportunities in regional energy trade, and threats posed by climate change and investment constraints. Additionally, a comparative analysis of global energy policies highlights Nepal’s position in the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Findings indicate that while Nepal has made notable progress in renewable energy adoption and policy development, challenges such as regulatory inefficiencies, inadequate grid infrastructure, and financial limitations persist. To ensure long-term energy security and sustainability, Nepal must prioritize effective policy implementation, public-private partnerships, and investment in smart grid technologies. This research provides a comprehensive framework for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers, offering insights into optimizing Nepal’s energy strategies in alignment with global best practices and emerging trends in clean energy development.

VL  - 14
IS  - 2
ER  -

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