Gham Power – Powering Datahub Nepal’s data centre with solar energy (Nepal)
Description
- Type of system: 16 kWp commercial and industrial rooftop solar PV system
- Location of the project: Tilottama, Butwal, Nepal
- Completion date: 2 July 2024
Company description
Gham Power, established in 2010, is a solar company driving Nepal’s transition toward a sustainable future. From powering industries and rural communities to digitalising agriculture, we combine solar technology with smart data systems to strengthen climate resilience and economic growth across Nepal.
The Challenge
Datahub is a critical hub in Nepal for managing and processing large volumes of data, requiring continuous, reliable power to support complex systems and operations. Before the solar installation, the facility depended on diesel generators and NEA utility power for electricity. This caused problems such as frequent power cuts and voltage fluctuations, which affected its sensitive equipment and operations. Given that even a brief downtime could result in significant data loss, Datahub partnered with Gham Power to install an 83.16 kWp worth of solar power for a reliable power supply.
Renewable Solution
In Nepal, where the country largely relies on a single energy source: hydropower, the electricity supply has not always been reliable. Datahub Nepal was facing the consequence of such unreliable power. To address this issue, they had been using diesel generators; however, this was not environmentally friendly and costly for their operations.
An 83.16 kWp rooftop solar PV system was chosen to provide a stable, continuous and clean energy source tailored to Datahub’s high-reliability requirements. The solar solution was designed and installed by Gham Power within one month. Given the sensitivity of the operations, the installation team carefully managed the process to ensure that systems remained live throughout, avoiding disruption to data operations. Solar was selected for its ability to deliver stable daytime power, significantly reduce grid dependency and eliminate the risks associated with diesel generator reliance.
Project Financing and Costs
This initiative received invaluable support from the Nepal Renewable Energy Programme (NREP), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC)
Project Outcome
The 83.16 kWp solar system is now fully operational at Datahub Nepal, delivering stable, reliable and eco-friendly power to support its data centre operations. Over the 25 years, it is projected to reduce 220 tonnes of carbon emissions and displace 38 kiloliters of diesel. Datahub now benefits from a 68.11% reduction in daytime electricity costs and a significantly more stable power supply, reducing the risk of outages and voltage issues that previously threatened sensitive equipment.
Next Steps
Datahub’s successful adoption of solar energy positions the facility as a model for other data-intensive businesses in Nepal, considering the transition to renewable energy. Gham Power continues to support the facility and explores further opportunities to expand renewable energy adoption across Nepal’s technology sector.
Website: https://ghampower.com/