Sustainability and Contribution of Household Biogas Plants to Energy Transition in Nepal

Household biogas can significantly contribute to sustainable energy transition by supporting the decarbonisation and modernization of the cooking energy sector. Nearly 450,000 household biogas plants were reported to have been installed in Nepal as of 2023. This study assesses their sustainability using large-scale household survey data combined with statistical analysis. The findings in this article inform recommendations to improve the performance and sustained use of household biogas systems in Nepal and other countries with similar geographical and socioeconomic conditions. In particular, a paradigm shift in biogas promotion and support policy is needed, that more seriously considers the demand-driven, subsidy, and dissemination features of interventions, and that engages in thorough monitoring and evaluation to troubleshoot program challenges.