Managing Energy To Overcome Crisis

Rastra Dhoj Karki

Russia-Ukraine War

A question arises, why does the Russian-Ukraine war affect us in a fuel crisis? Russia is one of the largest oil-producing countries in the world. Because of this, it affects all countries near Russia if the imports were to stop, directly or indirectly. Russia exports crude oil (the most basic form of petrol) to India, and India refines the oil and then exports it to other countries.

Transportation is the beating heart of any country that delivers food, materials, products, textiles, et cetera to many parts of the country. Without fuel, it becomes impossible to transport any load to places where that particular product is needed, which can be anything, especially food. This situation, in turn, affects the economy of any country if transportation is not available because there are no products to deliver or receive. 

The global pandemic, COVID-19, decayed the economy of many nations and adding fuel crisis to the problem will make it worse. When the economy slides down, the exchange rate decreases making it harder to import essentials from other countries. The loss will be huge in an arithmetic approach.

Now, to change gears, previously talking about if oil wasn't available in our country; many people know or have written about Nepal having many sources which produce power without needing other countries for imports before: such as hydroelectricity. Hydroelectric energy is a form of renewable energy that uses the power of moving water to generate electricity.

The advantages of adding hydroelectricity to Nepal are the security of energy, the food supply, conserving the environment, affordable, durable energy sources than other energy producers, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There is also potential for wind energy in mountainous regions in Nepal where winds blow constantly, but those areas need to be tested first and implemented for maximum efficiency.

Even though Nepal has so much potential for hydroelectricity, the country still does not use much of it. Many regions still do not have access to electricity. There have been investments to build hydroelectric power stations, but they only produce about a few hundred MW, whereas the estimated potential is around 80 GW (1 GW = 1000 MW). 

Private energy companies tend to develop their projects for more power, but the slow governmental approvals make them either change their minds to invest elsewhere or entirely give up. Another issue is the frequent natural earthquakes in Nepal that make investors hesitant to contribute to the project. 

The major problem is that Nepal uses fuel-based vehicles more than electrical ones, so the demand for fuel is high while the supply is getting low simultaneously. As the fuel crisis currently affecting Nepal is ruining the lifestyle of many people, it may also be an opportunity to consider switching from fuel-based to electric-based machines that operate in the country. 

Not all, but at least more than what the nation has now, then slowly building it to a cleaner and renewable energy. It will help make Nepal cleaner from air pollution, a huge problem and be self-sufficient in energy. Changes brought into a country are hard to implement, so doing it slowly but surely. 

Car and truck emissions are harmful to the environment, but they are also bad for human health. Air pollution causes diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, cancer, early and high mortality. Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, was rated to be the most air-polluted city by IQ Air; this needs to be changed for the better as Nepal is beautiful, and the low air quality makes it harder to admire nature and harm us and the surroundings.

 Electric Vehicles

Using more electric-based machines would reduce the numbers for air pollution. Switching to electric cars will benefit people and the environment by producing fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants into the atmosphere than gasoline or diesel vehicles; this includes their manufacturing and the electricity needed to keep them functioning. 

In over a year, just one electric car on the roads can save an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2. Electric cars also need cheaper servicing and maintenance while requiring less energy to run per km than petrol cars. EVs (Electric Vehicles) also produce less noise and have better handling, safety, and comfort than petrol cars because they tend to have a low centre of gravity. And in most countries, there is a negligible tax for EVs, which encourages people to buy them.

In conclusion, Nepal will still use fuel-based vehicles for a couple of decades even if changing to electric is introduced because adjusting these is a huge transition; it should be considered and brought about as soon as possible. Building hydroelectric and wind projects to supply the demand with this change. It won't occur unless it's planned out and implemented.

(The writer pursues higher education)