Kathmandu — Out of the 753 local levels (municipalities and rural municipalities) in Nepal, 539 local levels have been fully electrified. In 196 local levels, electrification has been partially completed.
The Nepal Electricity Authority has not been able to extend the national transmission line to 18 local levels. However, despite the absence of the national transmission grid, the residents of these 18 local levels are utilizing electricity generated from micro-hydro and solar energy.
According to the electrification statistics prepared by the Nepal Electricity Authority based on a detailed study of the wards within rural municipalities and municipalities across the country, as of 2081 B.S. (2024 A.D.), electricity has reached 99 percent of the total population. The total number of electricity consumers, including community users, has reached 5.935 million.
Of the population with access to electricity, 97 percent are using electricity from the national grid, while 2 percent are utilizing electricity from sources outside the grid, such as micro-hydro and solar energy.
Out of the 753 local levels, 590 local levels have achieved 95 to 100 percent electrification. In 72 local levels, electrification ranges from 75 to 95 percent. In 33 local levels, 50 to 75 percent electrification has been achieved; in 26 local levels, electrification ranges from 25 to 50 percent; and in 32 local levels, it ranges from 0 to 25 percent. Kulman Ghising, the Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, stated that all preparations have been completed, and work is ongoing to implement the Government of Nepal’s commitment to provide reliable and quality electricity service to every household in Nepal within the current fiscal year.
In the fiscal year 2015/16, the state of electrification was only 58 percent; reaching 99 percent now is a significant achievement during this period,” he said. “The Authority itself is searching for homes without electricity and reaching remote settlements. We are working with high priority to improve and expand the system for reliable and quality electricity supply in areas where electricity is already available, and to provide electricity to areas that are yet to be electrified
Ghising stated that work is underway to provide electricity to every household in the geographically challenging and remote hilly and mountainous districts of Karnali and Sudurpashchim Provinces within a year. He also clarified that budget management for electrification has been arranged, and construction contractors have been selected and work has already begun.
The Authority has taken concessional loans of 220 million US dollars from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to electrify the hilly districts of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim Provinces. Construction contractors have been selected, and work has already begun. Additionally, Managing Director Ghising mentioned that funds have been raised for expanding electricity access in other areas through government investment and by allocating a portion of the profits earned by the Authority.
Among the 7 provinces, Madhesh has achieved complete electrification. In Koshi, 99.30 percent electrification has been achieved; in Bagmati, 99.97 percent; in Gandaki, 99.40 percent; and in Lumbini, 98.49 percent. Karnali Province has the lowest electrification at 74.38 percent. In Sudurpashchim Province, 86.58 percent electrification has been achieved.
Out of the 14 districts in Koshi Province, all except Solukhumbu and Sankhuwasabha have achieved more than 95 percent electrification. Solukhumbu has 89.04 percent electrification and Sankhuwasabha has 93.99 percent. In Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, and Dhankuta, 100 percent electrification has been achieved. All 8 districts in Madhesh Province have been fully electrified.
In Bagmati Province, out of 13 districts, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Ramechhap, Nuwakot, and Chitwan have achieved 100 percent electrification. The remaining districts have also achieved more than 95 percent electrification.
In Gandaki Province, out of 11 districts, Manang has achieved 87.81 percent electrification. In Tanahun, Syangja, Parbat, and Kaski, 100 percent electrification has been achieved, while the remaining districts have achieved more than 95 percent electrification.
In Lumbini Province, out of 12 districts, Rukum East has the lowest electrification at 32.24 percent, and Rolpa has 85 percent electrification. In Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, and Bardiya, 100 percent electrification has been achieved. The remaining districts have achieved more than 95 percent electrification.
In Karnali Province, Rukum West has the highest electrification at 95.08 percent, while Mugu has the lowest at 31.80 percent. In Surkhet, electrification is at 86.48 percent; in Dailekh, 81.05 percent; in Salyan, 79.50 percent; in Jajarkot, 49.80 percent; in Kalikot, 70.96 percent; in Jumla, 62.47 percent; in Dolpa, 42.75 percent; and in Humla, 32.51 percent.
In Sudurpashchim Province, out of 9 districts, Kanchanpur and Kailali have achieved 100 percent electrification. Bajura has the lowest electrification at 33.51 percent. In Dadelhdura, electrification is at 94.08 percent; in Doti, 88.04 percent; in Achham, 65.97 percent; in Baitadi, 61.73 percent; in Bajhang, 69.03 percent; and in Darchula, 84.01 percent.
Source: katipur
