-Ramesh Lamsal
Kathmandu, February 14: The per capita energy consumption in the country has risen, thanks to the unhindered power supply coupled with publicity campaigns. According to a half-yearly review report released by the Finance Ministry, the per capita power consumption has gone up to 267 units in the first six months of the current fiscal year, which is more by 22 units compared to the previous fiscal year.
In recent years, the capacity of the industries has also gone up with the regular power supply while the country’s economic growth rate is more than 6 per cent for the past three consecutive years. Likewise, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has forwarded the idea of promoting induction stove in every house and charging station to encourage the electric vehicles—both for increasing the power consumption in the country.
The NEA has also prioritised strengthening, upgrading and expansion of its capacity that is comfortable to endure the load for induction stove and charging stations. The government has set a target to provide electricity service in every household within 2022 and make per capita electricity consumption to 700 units within four years.
According to the Finance Ministry, electricity supplies have reached to 4.681 million households till the first six months of the current fiscal year by expanding, upgrading and strengthening distribution line. A total of 4.5 million households were provided with energy supply within the last fiscal year. The government has announced a programme to fully electrify 40 districts within this fiscal year. Parbat, Syangja, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur districts have been completely electrified so far.
The government has set a programme to provide micro-hydro, solar and wind power along with battery storage through alternative energy promotion centre at those places where there is no possibility of the national grid. According to the Ministry, arrangement of Rs 5 billion additional funds should be made for rural electrification scheme to implement the programme of full electrification through the NEA. RSS
