MAKAWANPUR: Chatur Bahadur Ghalani of Bhorleni, Phaparbari VDC-3 in Makawanpur district had never believed that electricity could be generated from other sources besides water and sun.

When his house and the entire village were illuminated by the electricity generated from wind which often blows severely from dawn to dusk across the village, Ghalani now does not believe his eyes.

The Wind-Solar Hybrid Energy Project, installed by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) in Bhorleni in the district, produces 25 kilowatt of energy -10 kilowatt from wind and 15 kilowatts solar, adequate enough to illuminate the village.

As many as 131 households in Bhorleni are not only happy but also consider themselves lucky to access electricity round the clock at time when the country is reeling under the power outage up to 14 hours a day.

Their happiness would not haves been possible without the Project constructed at the cost of Rs 10.25 million, of which Rs 8.9 million was made available by this government institution that develops and promotes renewable energy.

The local bodies and communities have also contributed both in cash and kind for the Project.

The locals raised fund, Rs 3 million, made labour contibution and donated a piece of their land to realise this undertaking which has helped change the face of this remote village bordering Kavrepalanchock and Sindhuli districts.

Another local Prem Bahadur Lopchan gushed, "I have heard that the cities suffer power outage up to 15 hours a day, but we have been accessing electricity 24/7."

Earlier, Bhorleni was an unwanted locality with no fertile soil, proper irrigation and road facilities. With the availability of electrification, the place and lifestyle of its people underwent a sea change as it helped in expansion of road, communication and irrigation and other basic amenities to the nook and corners of this village.

Offering an insight into the difference made by electricity in the lives of locals, Dhan Kumari Timilsina, a housewife, shared that she has been able to use electronic appliances like television, radio with the reach of electricity.

"I keep myself updated on national and international developments via television. Electricity has changed our lifestyles in various ways."

Dalbir Ale, who grew up in darkness in lack of electricity, shared that he was marvelled by varied usage of electricity. The 97-year-old said, "The comfort brought by electricity to my life has made me yearn to live more."

"The school has not only seen an increment in the number of students, but also improvement in the teaching learning activities, thanks to the electricity," added Jagat Bahadur Thokar, a teacher at Geeta Primary School in the locality.

Thokar, who studied in the light of traditional lamps, expressed his happiness for his students who could access the most useful form of energy.

Although it started producing electricity since May 29 last year, Minister for Population and Environment, Bishwendra Paswan, formally inaugurated the second-of-its-kind Project on Tuesday amid a programme.

On the occasion, Minister Paswan pledged that the government was committed towards the development and promotion of alternative energy technology like wind-solar energy as the country is plagued by the energy crisis.

Prakash Aryal, Technical Officer at AEPC, mentioned that many rural windy areas in the country that are shrouded in darkness could be illuminated by producing electricity from wind.

The AEPC first set up Wind-Solar Hybrid Energy Project in Dhauwadi VDC of Nawalparasi district.