Nepal can play leading role in hydrogen energy in world: Minister Bhusal

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Oct. 11: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal has said that Nepal can play a leading role in the development of green hydrogen energy in the world.

Inaugurating the 'Nepal Green Hydrogen Summit' jointly organised by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of Finance, MIT Group Foundation and Global NRN Foundation on Monday, she said that there is a lot of potential for green hydrogen production and export in Nepal.

Bhusal said that Nepal can export more energy if hydrogen energy is developed.

She said that with the development of technology in the future, we will use the same water as hydropower projects to establish hydrogen production plants and export electricity in the form of hydrogen. "Commercial use of hydrogen is the latest technology. Its business has not been easy. As sufficient water resources are available, its potential in Nepal is more than in many other countries," Minister Bhusal said, “Nepal can play a leading role in hydrogen energy production and trade.”

Stating that the world is currently studying and researching green hydrogen energy with special interest and priority, she said that various developed countries have accelerated policy making, technology research and exploration on its production and use.

Minister Bhusal informed that Nepal will soon formulate a policy on hydrogen energy and move forward.

She said that the issue of converting water resources into hydroelectric energy and using hydropower to develop water resources as green hydrogen is very important for economic prosperity, environmental security, energy and food security as well as sustainable development of Nepal.

Minister Bhusal said that the government's goal is to use hydropower as a source of energy, increase per capita electricity consumption, and also use hydropower to produce hydrogen energy, ammonia and urea.

She said that in order to achieve this goal, the Ministry has formed a working group and has already conducted a pre-feasibility study of hydrogen and chemical fertiliser production through the use of hydropower.

She said, "An agreement has been reached between the Nepal Electricity Authority and Global Green Growth Institute of Korea at the initiative of the ministry to forward the work for the development of hydrogen energy.

She said that in order to achieve the goal of sustainable development within 2030 and to achieve the national goal of reaching a middle-income country by 2026, the government has emphasised on rapid development of hydropower projects, including agriculture, tourism and industrial sectors.

Minister Bhusal said, "The government is working with an action plan to create a competent, strong and advanced nation by means of industrialisation, electric transportation, drinking water and irrigation through lift and electronic materials." She said that the suggestions obtained from this first summit on green hydrogen will be useful to further formulate the policies, guidelines, and laws that we will adopt in the future.

On the occasion, President of MIT Group Foundation Dr. Shesh Ghale has said that it is necessary for Nepal to lead the world in hydrogen energy production.

A global study has shown that Nepal can produce green hydrogen and sell it at a benchmark price on the world market, he said and added that now Nepal should take global leadership in the development of green hydrogen.

"Our race has started and we are the first to get the copyright. This conference is a milestone for green hydrogen production in Nepal. To prevent environmental pollution, to show Nepal's presence in the world energy crisis, it is necessary to start this from Nepal in green hydrogen production and Nepal itself should lead the world," he said.

Nepal should now be ready for the journey from hydroelectricity to hydrogen, he said and added that all sectors should be ready for cooperation and investment and the state should also facilitate policy.