Villages enjoy uninterrupted electricity

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    alternative_energyKATHMANDU: As many as 250 households in two remote villages in Makwanpur are connected to an uninterrupted power supply, thanks to the hybrid technology combining solar, wind and small hydropower to generate electricity.

    The first of its type in the country, the trio system has been installed in Thingan and Kolkhop villages in the eastern part of Makwanpur district. A team of 33 university students and four professors from Korea had provided monetary and technical support to generate 30KW electricity in the village.

    The recently added wind turbine (3 KW) and a small-scale hydro power plant (20 KW) in Miteri Khola and already installed solar PV panels of 7 KW, are used in generating electricity to illuminate the villages, which otherwise had always been dependent on kerosene lamps.

    Talking to THT, Binayak Bhandari, a Nepali student, who coordinates the yearly visit of Korean students and professors to the village, said they are fond of coming to the village and share their knowledge, skills and technology with the villagers. “Their focus is mainly to provide off grid sustainable energy to the Nepali population who have been living in darkness and potentially neglected from the government’s electrification projects due to the rough terrain and other geographical difficulties,” he added. Though the Korean team bore the cost of resources, the villagers worked hard to help with the construction, he added.

    In addition to the energy production, the Korean team has also constructed about 50 Korean style Ondol (cooking cum heating system) in two villages. The main features of Ondol are smokeless cooking and it serves as a means for house heating during harsh winter season.

    The construction of Ondol has been demonstrated at 12 houses in Kolkhop village and is being extended to all other households of the village. The response from the villagers has been very positive so far, Bhandari said.

    Director at the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre Govind Raj Pokhrel said that the hybrid technology is being used for the first time in the country.

    Likewise, in Nawalparasi, a project combing solar and wind energy are being used to provide electricity in 50 houses.

    Source : The Himalayan Times