A STUDY ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, ENVIRONMENTAL EMISSIONS AND ENERGY SECURITY OF LIMESTONE BASED CEMENT INDUSTRIES IN NEPAL: CASE STUDY OF HETAUDA CEMENT INDUSTRY LIMITED(HCIL)

Abstract

This study is aimed at examining the energy efficiency, energy intensity, environmental emissions reduction potential and energy security scenario of Hetauda Cement Industry Limited (HCIL) in Nepal. The research is being conducted with the objective of studying an existing benchmark for the energy intensity of the cement industry in Nepal and to examine the energy security risks for the limestone-based cement industries relying on imported energy. A study of the energy efficiency of the HCIL identifies that for the past five years specific power consumption has gradually increased from 223 kWh per ton to 295 kWh per ton of cement. The capacity utilization of the plant was below 50%. The plant's continuous operation over the last 36 years has reduced the efficiency of various plant equipment, increased breakdown time, increased production costs, and increased other indirect losses. Study suggests ways to optimize energy usage and reduce costs with lighting improvement with payback period of around 2 years, a gravel bed filter installation to emission control with payback of 3 years and waste heat recovery unit of 1.2 MW electricity capacity with payback of 14 years