KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 19

The demand for electricity has increased significantly in the domestic market, thanks to effective policy and practical action plan, among other incentives.

Electricity demand is found to be increasing by 20 per cent every year on an average, Nepal Electricity Authority, the country's power utility, said.

According to NEA, the internal demand for electricity has suddenly increased amid cold weather conditions due to steps being taken to increase electricity demand. The peak demand for electricity this year has increased in comparison to the previous year and it is in the range of 300 megawatts.

NEA has adopted the policy of promoting the use of electric appliances and providing necessary power to industries with the aim of increasing domestic consumption, following surplus of electricity.

It is found that the use of electric home appliances such as induction cooking heater, air conditioner, among others, has increased.

Although the process of construction of charging stations has not gained momentum at the government level, such stations are being constructed through the initiative of the private sector.

This has also contributed to the growth of electric vehicles. Electricity has been supplied to big industries as per their demand which has helped enhance their production capacity.

NEA has provided 30 megawatts electricity to Hongshi Cement Industry, the largest cement factory in the country, since the second week of November. Another cement factory with Chinese investment, Huashin Cement Industry, has also taken 20 megawatts electricity.

Electricity demand capacity is found to be increasing both in terms of megawatts and energy units. For instance, the peak demand in the system on December 13 was 1,539 megawatts whereas it was 1,217 megawatts on the same day last year – an increment by 322 megawatts. On this basis, the peak demand for electricity has increased by 26.5 per cent this year compared to the demand on the same date last year.

In order to meet the peak demand for electricity on December 13, NEA had managed 540 megawatts electricity from its power houses, 529 megawatts from the powerhouses of its subsidiary companies and 425 megawatts from private sector power houses, and imported 25 megawatts from India. Four megawatts electricity was exported to India even during peak time on that date.

A version of this article appears in the print on December 20, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.