Wind energy is still one of the least harnessed energy sources in Nepal. In Nepal, the development of wind energy would be important for generating electricity and for irrigating plain areas. Various private and public sectors have made attempts of harnessing wind energy for water pumping and household electrification. Due to comparatively higher focus on hydro and solar power development and lack of proven data, economic analysis of wind energy installation and expertise to work in wind energy; wind power development has always obtained lesser priority in Nepal. Despite huge hydropower potential, Nepalese have to go through daily load shedding and the number of hours increases during dry seasons. Wind energy generated from areas with high potential such as Mustang and Sagarmatha region could be a big help to reduce load shedding in this scenario. Various studies have indicated that wind energy potential for power generation in Nepal is high in river corridors and mountain valleys.

There is still a lot to be done in the wind energy sector in Nepal. At present, investment is necessary for the expansion of wind speed monitoring stations in the windy places (Batase Dandas) of Nepal that provide database for making both small and large wind power installations. Large ones could feed power to the national grid while small ones could light up the scattered Nepalese rural areas that have less potential of micro hydropower and demand more investment for national grid extension. It is also necessary to make economic analysis of harnessing wind power in Nepal. International experiences have proved that wind energy is inexpensive with the cost in some cases being as low as one-fifth of hydropower production. Moreover, it is also important to develop technical manpower that could work for wind power development in Nepal.

To bring in more wind related activities and investments, it is necessary to make countrywide assessment of wind energy potential. AEPC has been promoting wind energy by carrying out following activities in wind energy sector

• Collection of wind speed data and development of wind mapping
• Conducting R and D on wind energy technology
• Installation of wind power generators