An assessment of the off-grid small wind power potential in Nepal

Nepal has an abundance of renewable resources, especially in rural areas where energy demand is still overwhelmingly met by traditional biomass. This paper considers the potential for small scale wind turbines (SWTs) to meet the electrical demand of rural communities in Nepal, as assessed through a GIS-based methodology and considerations of the broader enabling environment. Various datasets are processed in order to generate a map of where small wind is estimated to be a viable off-grid technology. The paper also discusses the anticipated barriers and opportunities available to small wind technology