SEPS Project – Biomass Gasification in Nepal

WINROCK International is implementing this project to pilot biomass gasification for rural electrification by installing an 11 kW gasification unit. The use of at least 500 litres of kerosene and 1000 litres of diesel will be avoided annually by the installation of the new technology, resulting in enhanced livelihoods and energy for lighting and other productive end-use applications.

As of June 2015, the transmission and distribution systems, including a power house accommodating the gasification system, have been successfully installed. On-site operators and managers have received intensive training on how to use and maintain the facilities.

However, a few adjustments had to be made to the scheduled project implementation. As the project site initially identified for the pilot (the Tanahun district) was recently connected to the national grid, a new location in Nepal’s Dang district was selected after a feasibility study. Furthermore, the monsoon season resulted in landslides and road flooding, hindering project activities. As a result, some capacity building activities and information collection for future productive end-use will now be carried out over the course of the next few months, extending the overall project period to the end of 2015.