Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: Despite Nepal’s significant progress in electrification, with 99 percent of the population now having access to electricity, around 28 percent of the local levels in the country have yet to receive a full-fledged electricity supply, according to the recently unveiled *Nepal Electrification Statistics 2024* by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
Out of the 753 local levels across the country, only 539 have been fully electrified, representing 71.58 percent of the total local bodies. This leaves 196 local levels partially electrified, while 18 local levels remain completely off the national grid, relying instead on alternative energy sources such as micro hydropower plants and solar energy.
The report reveals that 590 local levels have achieved above 95 percent electrification, 72 local levels have 75-95 percent electrification, 33 have 50-75 percent electrification, 26 have 25-50 percent electrification, and 32 local levels have only up to 25 percent electrification. Notably, Humla district remains without electricity supplied by the national grid, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving complete nationwide electrification.
Over the past eight years, Nepal’s electrification rate has surged from 58 percent to 99 percent of the population. NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising emphasized the authority’s commitment to the government’s goal of providing reliable and quality electricity to all households by the end of the current fiscal year. “We have prioritized the plan to supply electricity to the deprived areas while focusing on improving our distribution system,” Ghising stated.
Province-wise, Madhesh Province leads with 100 percent electrification, followed by Bagmati at 99.97 percent, Gandaki at 99.40 percent, Koshi at 99.30 percent, Lumbini at 98.49 percent, and Sudurpashchim at 86.58 percent. Karnali Province trails with the lowest electrification rate of 74.38 percent.
NEA’s records also show that Nepal’s electricity production capacity has reached 3,157 MW, with the total length of transmission lines extending to 6,507 circuit kilometers—more than double the length recorded eight years ago. Of these, 514 circuit kilometers consist of 66 kV transmission lines, which are essential for ensuring the quality of electricity supply.
The NEA continues to work towards closing the electrification gap in Nepal, with a focus on expanding access to the remaining underserved areas and enhancing the national grid’s capacity to deliver consistent and quality electricity across the country.
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