Thinking of thermal plants

Jan-6th-2012
The thermal plants have come into focus in recent times. It is also a growing concern for our country. The government solely believes thermal plants are an ultimate solution to the problem of existing energy crisis in the country. Needless to say, the energy crisis could be reduced to some extent with thermal plants supplying electricity. On the flip side, the impact that they can have on the country’s economy is of great concern.

The thermal plants require diesel, water, coal and coke or oil and natural gases for generating electricity. This would increase national imports of diesel and coal from foreign lands. The Nepalese market is already overwelmed with high cost of imported goods because of the higher value of the US dollar in Nepali currency. That is the reason for the higher price for petroleum products imported by Nepal. And, the international price for oil is on the increase. Certainly, this would increase the outflow of national wealth as imports for primary fuel would additionally increase. Further, Nepal Electricity Authority has already estimated an expensive tariff for electricity produced by the thermal plants. Consequently, this would also increase the production cost of national goods, imposing additional price burden on the Nepalese markets. Now, when the presents electricity rates are considered to be high by many, the electricity produced by thermal plants will not be affordable to the majority.

‘What could survive the Nepalese market and the economy?’ - has been an enigma to the present context. The two neighboring countries India and China are ambitious in generating electricity from the sources like: thermal, hydro power, nuclear power and renewable sources. India is said to be the fifth largest electricity consumer in the world. And China is considered to be the second largest electricity consumer in the world. On the other hand our country has been utilizing only two different sources- solar energy and hydro-power. Doubtless to say, our country would only still be a good electricity consumer market for these two countries even in the next decade, unless the government develops a long term vision and effective strategy. In the present scenario, our economy has no other source of funds to recompense the increased imports of additional fuel and their value. The economy of the country shall get ruined in the long run with additional national expense and imports. The government should explore meaningful alternative solutions to the problem of energy crisis very soon. The thermal plants could be only a temporary way out, not a permanent one.

Sasi-Kumar