A PILOT PROJECT ON CAPACITY BUILDING ON
ELECTRICITY REFORMS
IN BANGLADESH, INDIA AND NEPAL
(RESA PROJECT)
Findings of the Project
RESA — Nepal
Dhrubesh Regmi
Presented at:
Regional Conference Kolkata, India
Outline of the presentation
• General overview of Nepali power sector
• Review of RESA Project
• Way forward
Background: Power Sector in Nepal
• Energy as the backbone of an economy
• High dependence of the Nepali economy on traditional sources of
energy, with electricity consumption at a minimum level
• Low level of exploitation - a mere 0.67 per cent (i.e., 556.4 MW) of its
total generation capacity
• Inadequacy of electricity
• Only 45 per cent of Nepali households have access to electricity and
consumers are being faced with host of problems
• 89% of the consumers are unaware about the ongoing electricity
reform process and 72% of them feel that they are ignorant on
electricity related issues (RESA Baseline Survey Report, 2008)
• Lack of competition despite the introduction
of private sector by the government in 1992
• Monopoly of current regulatory framework:
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Department
of Electricity Development(DoED), Electricity
Tariff Fixation Commission (ETFC)
• Political-economy behind power sector
development
• Lack of consumer awareness and space for
consumer participation
Project Brief
Overall objectives
To increase long-term capacity of
civil society Organisations
(CSOs), to improve consumers’
representation as a measure to
enhance effectiveness of
regulatory regimes in electricity
sector in Bangladesh, India and
Nepal.
Project countries
1. Nepal
2. India
3. Bangladesh
Donor agency: NORAD
RESA Nepal
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
SAWTEE and it’s local partners
Ilam Chamber Of Commerce And Industry, Ilam
Forum For Protection Of Consumer Rights Nepal, Morang
Consumer Forum Nepal, Sunsari
Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights Nepal, Kathmandu
Consumer Forum Nepal, Lalitpur
Forum for Protection of Consumer Rights Nepal, Parsa
Community Radio Madan Pokhara, Palpa
Forum for
Protection of
Consumer Rights
Nepal, Rupandehi
9. Banke UNESCO
Club, Banke
10. Forum for
Community Sector
Support Programme,
Dailekh
Project Activities
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Project Launch & Training
Perception Survey of the Partner CSOs
The Local Inception Workshop
Consumer Base Line Survey and Field Research
Reference Group Meeting- I & II
Territorial Training
Grassroots Interface Meetings – I & II
Advocacy Seminar
Final Consumer Survey
Capacity Building Discussion Forum
Regular Radio and Television Programme
Consumers’ view
• Increased awareness level
leading to demand side
management
• Consumers feel the need to be
informed about existing rules
and regulations, general safety
measures and regulatory
reforms
• They have started sensing the
importance of interactions
and consultations by the policy
makers and utility providers
with the general public
• They seek for avenues to
ensure effective participation
for power sector reform
Steps taken by consumers after attending
meetings
Recommendations for Power Sector Reform In Nepal
(observations from project activities)
• Unbundling– production, distribution and transmission
• Organize awareness, sensitization and interaction programs on
electricity issues
• Create space for consumer participation in decision
making/regulatory process through public hearing, consumer
representation and so on
• Focus on reservoir-type project
• Focus on meeting domestic demand, but nation plagued with export
mentality
• Break free from political intervention and legal and technical
monopoly of utility provider
• Rational review of electricity tariff
• Amendment of Electricity Act, 1992 to increase the participation of
consumers in regulatory decision making and encourage
investments for hydro power development
Project Outcomes
• Assessment of the consumer status in regard to electricity
sector of Nepal (BS & FCS)
• Improvement in consumer awareness, habit and some
remedies to their concerns (GIMs)
• Establishment of harmonious relationship between utility
providers and consumers (GIMs)
• Trained and sensitized CSOs (TTPs)
• Interaction and partnership among experts, government
and non-government organisations, journalists, policy
makers, utility providers, related to power sector created
(LIW& NAS)
• Consumers concerns in electricity sector of Nepal
discussed and highlighted among all stakeholders
including media (LIW & NAS)
Way Forward
• Continuity to the RESA
project and if possible
expansion of area coverage
• Design project in line with
the specific environment of
a country
• Make avenues for ensuring
effective participation of the
informed consumers
THANK YOU