Electricity demand has surged with the ongoing extreme heat, placing increased pressure on the power distribution system. The higher load has caused transformer failures in some areas, while aging power lines have increasingly overheated and snapped, leading to disruptions in electricity supply.
According to Rajendra Chaudhary, Chief of the Nepal Electricity Authority’s Bharatpur Distribution Centre, the unusually high demand during the hot season places excessive stress on old distribution lines, causing them to overheat and fail. He said that when multiple faults occur simultaneously, limited technical manpower often delays repair and restoration work.
Chaudhary explained that in areas with older conductor lines, wires are melting, joints are breaking, transformer fuses are blowing, and in some cases transformers themselves are failing. He noted that with limited resources and equipment, it is challenging to restore electricity service immediately in every affected location.
Electricity consumption has risen significantly as households and offices increase the use of air conditioners, fans, and other electrical appliances to cope with the heat. Demand has also grown as farmers operate electric water pumps for paddy transplantation. According to Chaudhary, electricity demand has been increasing by around 10 percent annually.
The Bharatpur Distribution Centre, which serves most areas of Bharatpur Metropolitan City and Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality, currently has approximately 75,500 customers. Around 3,000 new consumers are added to its network each year.
To manage the growing demand over the long term, Chaudhary said that additional transformers need to be installed, weak distribution lines replaced, and the distribution network upgraded. However, he noted that the capacity of the area’s power transformers has already been planned to meet electricity demand for the next 20 years.
A 90 MW power transformer has been installed at the new Aaptari Substation to provide reserve capacity, while a 112.5 MW power transformer is currently in operation at the Baseni Substation.
“We do not have a shortage of electricity. The problem lies with the distribution lines and transformers,” Chaudhary said.
He added that although the NEA has been trying to install additional transformers where needed, local-level obstructions have delayed work in some locations. Infrastructure, including poles and supporting structures, has already been completed at 14 sites, and transformers are expected to be installed there in the near future.
Jalasarokar