35 local bodies yet to receive electricity from national grid: NEA

KATHMANDU, Sept 1: A total of 35 local levels are still deprived of the electricity supplied via the national transmission lines.

According to the records of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), three districts including Dolpa, Mugu and Humla of mid-western Nepal have not received at all the electricity supplied through the national grid. The government has been prioritizing electrification in these districts by using alternative energy like solar energy and micro hydroelectricity, among others.

NEA statistics show that 92.51 percent of the population have access to electricity supply. Of them, 92.37 percent have been receiving electricity supplied through the national grid while the remaining 0.14 percent receives off-grid electricity.

The rate of electrification is the highest of 99.95 percent in Madhesh Province while it is just 56.79 percent in Karnali Province, the lowest of all. Around 97.76 percent of the population in Gandaki Province has access to electricity, followed by 97.47 percent in Bagmati Province, 96.73 percent in Lumbini Province and 78.85 percent in Sudurpaschim have access to electricity.    

Out of the 77 districts, electricity has been supplied to all the local levels of 42 districts. While 14 districts have received 75-95 percent electrification, 10 districts have received 50-75 percent electrification.

Likewise, seven districts including East Rukum, Jumla, Kalikot, Mugu, Humla, Bajhang and Baitadi have electrification between 25 to 50 percent. In four districts — Solukhumbu, Dolpa, Jajarkot and Bajura — the rate of electrification is up to 25 percent only.

Out of the 753 local bodies, 476 are fully electrified and 242 local bodies have partial electrification. Province wise, Bagmati Province, Gandaki Province, Lumbini Province and Madhesh Province have complete electrification.