Final answer:
Nepal, being on the Himalayan tectonic plate boundary, has geographic feasibility for generating electricity using geothermal energy. It is a viable option but should be evaluated against long-term sustainability and technical challenges. Hence, the answer is yes, geothermal energy is feasible for Nepal, with considerations of scalability and environmental impacts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geothermal energy is indeed a method of generating electricity by harnessing the heat from the Earth's internal processes. In locations near tectonic plate boundaries, there is a greater potential for geothermal activity. For a country like Nepal, which is situated on the Himalayan tectonic plate boundary, the use of geothermal energy for generating electricity is feasible. As such, the correct response would be (a) Yes, with the caveat that the feasibility depends on local geological conditions, the economy of scale, and technological capabilities in place.
Globally, geothermal electricity is not likely to scale to be a major part of our entire energy mix, mainly due to its reliance on rare geological hotspots. However, in nations like Nepal, where these hotspots are prevalent, it is a viable option. Meanwhile, sustainable extraction of geothermal heat is replenished by radioactive decay within the Earth, but it poses significant engineering challenges and may not be practical to achieve on a large scale.
The question then becomes not just about feasibility but also about long-term sustainability. Theoretically, mining geothermal heat could last for hundreds or thousands of years. Whether or not to pursue such a non-renewable but long-term resource is a matter of policy and ethical considerations, especially in countries like Nepal where it could be critical for energy independence.