Lalitpur, March 18:

The Rural Energy Development Programme (REDP), established with an objective of providing energy access to rural people through a decentralised energy system, has provided energy to some 21,386 households by producing 2236.2 kw electricity after installing 172 micro hydro electricity projects.

In the second phase, the programme was launched in 25 hilly districts in joint initiation with Nepal government, UNDP and World Bank. It is expected to provide electricity to 3,000 households by producing 3,000 kw of electricity by installing an additional 125 micro-hydro electricity projects. The project aims at uplifting the standard of life of rural people by providing access to electricity.

In the Baglung district alone, the programme has provided electricity to around 5,000 households by producing 451 kw of electricity. The district is known as a model district for decentralised energy system since it has been able to supply electricity to people by installing

hydro electricity projects with a capacity of about 1,000 kw, the largest in the country.

Several projects are under construction to meet the target of producing 550 kw of electricity in the second phase. A model energy valley has been developed in cooperation with the programme including Sarkuwa and Paiyu VDCs, along with Rangkhani-6 and Damek-2.

At present, a total of 168 KW hydro power from various rivers has been generated in this valley, whereas nearly 50 KW has been generated by local efforts. As a result, altogether 1,762 families have benefited from electricity.

However, some difficulty in distribution of electricity arose as the houses happen to be scattered. To overcome this handicap, electricity has being generated through solar power in 65 houses where it was difficult to provide it otherwise.

According to deputy national manager of the programme Thakur Prasad Devkota, a comprehensive study is being carried out to develop these projects into a mini grid project and connect this to the national transmission.

Other places in the district where projects have been launched are being developed as energy circle and energy stretches under the pocket area concept.