The concept of energy security and the nexus approach in South Asia

Energy security is fundamental to human development, ensuring access to reliable and sustainable energy sources for economic growth and daily life. In South Asia, the nexus approach highlights the interconnectedness of water, food, and energy sectors, advocating for cooperation despite competition for limited resources. The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region plays a critical role by providing ecosystem services essential for securing all three sectors.

Importance of the nexus approach

• Interconnected resources - Energy production often requires significant water and land, which are also needed for food production, creating potential conflicts.
• Ecosystem reliance - The HKH region supports water availability for hydroelectric power, agricultural irrigation, and domestic use, making its health vital for regional stability.
• Need for collaboration - Balancing demands across sectors requires integrated policies and joint efforts among stakeholders like farmers, policymakers, and industrialists to manage scarce resources effectively.

Key characteristics and challenges of energy security in South Asia

South Asia faces unique challenges in achieving energy security, driven by a large population, rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, and the uncertainties posed by climate change. These factors increase pressure on already limited resources, complicating efforts to provide adequate energy.

Characteristics and adaptation challenges in energy security

Broader pressures on resources

• Population and urban growth - Rapid increases in population and urbanisation heighten energy demands, straining existing infrastructure.
• Industrialisation - Expanding industries require more energy, often competing with domestic and agricultural needs.
• Climate change impacts - Unpredictable weather patterns and environmental changes threaten the reliability of energy sources, especially hydropower reliant on consistent water flow.
• Ecosystem degradation in HKH - Deforestation, soil erosion, overgrazing, and land degradation in the HKH region reduce water quality and quantity, increasing flood risks and jeopardising energy, food, and water security.

The impact of natural hazards on energy infrastructure in Nepal

Nepal, located in the heart of the Himalayan region, faces significant challenges to its energy security due to natural hazards such as landslides and flooding. These events can devastate infrastructure and disrupt energy supply, as illustrated by a catastrophic event in 2014.

Case study: 2014 landslide in Jure, Nepal

Event overview:

• Heavy rainfall triggered a massive landslide in Jure, central Nepal, creating a natural dam across the Saptakoshi River, a key tributary of the Koshi River.

Immediate impacts:

• Around 5,000 families were displaced, with numerous homes destroyed.
• The main highway to China was buried under 20 metres of debris, severely disrupting transport links.
• The Sun Koshi River was blocked, forming a lake that submerged a small hydropower station 3 kilometres upstream.

Wider consequences:

• The lake posed a flood threat to over 400,000 people across two countries.
• Damage to a downstream hydroelectric power station and severed transmission lines resulted in the loss of nearly 10% of Nepal's hydroelectric capacity, around 67 megawatts, causing widespread power cuts.

Long-term concerns:

• Repeated incidents of flooding and landslides, such as those affecting 18 districts during heavy rains in August of the same year, destroyed crops, contaminated water supplies, and raised doubts about the feasibility of expanding hydropower projects.

Environmental concerns and considerations of hydropower development

Nepal holds immense potential for hydroelectric power (HEP), with its deep, narrow canyons offering ideal conditions for development. It ranks second globally in undeveloped hydropower capacity, trailing only Brazil. However, environmental and safety concerns pose significant barriers to realising this potential.

Potential and targets for hydropower in Nepal

• Untapped resources - The country's geography supports vast hydropower development, with a goal set by the energy ministry in 2010 to achieve 37,000 megawatts of new capacity within two decades.
• Challenges from natural hazards - Monsoonal rains and the associated risk of landslides, as seen in 2014, limit safe development in many areas, casting uncertainty over ambitious projects.

Environmental impacts of hydropower

• Risk of natural disasters - HEP projects can increase the likelihood of landslides and earthquakes due to the alteration of landscapes and water pressure changes.
• Habitat disruption - Construction and operation of dams disturb local ecosystems, affecting aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.
• Carbon emissions during construction - Significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) are released during the building of dams, contradicting the perception of HEP as entirely clean energy.
• Need for careful management - Without sustainable practices and robust risk assessment, HEP development could exacerbate environmental degradation and threaten long-term energy security in the region.