Quantitative decision parameters of rural electrification planning: A review based on a pilot project in rural Nepal

Many countries including Nepal utilize qualitative parameters and/or judgment in order to appraise stand-alone off-grid project sites. This paper reviews on-going efforts for electrification in rural Nepal, and quantitative parameters available to support this planning process of remote mountainous (rural) villages utilizing the off-grid renewable system or the national power grid. These parameters are computed and analyzed with reference to the data available for Asian Development Bank supported wind/solar hybrid pilot project in Nawalparasi district in western Nepal. Finally this paper presents some recommendations on utilizing those quantitative parameters including zoning to insulate feasible off-grid sites from unplanned on-grid expansion. With such planning and policy in place the interest of private sector for remote rural electrification is bound to grow, perhaps much faster than current rate, to complement efforts of the local government and development partners.