KATHMANDU, Nov 10: The base camp of Tilicho Lake, a popular tourist spot in Manang, has now been connected to the national power grid.
The electricity distribution has been initiated by connecting the national transmission line to the base camp located at an altitude of 4,250 meters above sea level in Khangsar, Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9.
The electricity has been provided by installing a 50 kVA capacity distribution transformer at the base camp. Currently, there are 10 hotels, health posts and small restaurants operating at the base camp. There are 15 electricity customers in the base camp.
New trekking route to Tilicho Lake in operation
Before the power from the national transmission line reached the lake, its base camp was supplied with electricity from solar energy and diesel generators. The base camp is located in the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Due to the failed expansion of solar energy, there was a significant challenge of power supply in the tourist areas before. Cheolpa Gurung, the ward president of Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9, said that it has now become easier after electricity from the national grid was connected to the lake’s base camp.
Kulman Ghising, the managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), said that electricity from the national transmission line has been delivered to the base camp of Tilicho Lake as part of the campaign to light up the religious and tourist areas.
The 33 kV power transmission line has been extended from the substation of Radhi Small Hydropower Station, Ghermu, Marsyangdi Rural Municipality-5 of Lamjung, to the 33-11 kV substation in Chame Rural Municipality-1. From that substation, an 11 kV line has been extended to the base camp through the headquarters of Chame.
The NEA has operated the 45 kW Chame Small Hydropower and the 80 kW Manang Small Hydropower to supply electricity in Manang. Raju Mahato, the head of the Manang Distribution Center of NEA, said that during the closure of the national transmission line due to tripping, electricity was produced and supplied from the small hydropower projects.
Under the Marsyangdi Corridor 220 kV Transmission Line project, the construction of a 220 kV substation has been completed in Dharapani, Nason Rural Municipality-1, in Manang. Following the completion of the substation and transmission line set to begin, improvements in the electricity supply to Manang are expected.
Furthermore, necessary structures have been arranged for local power supply at the Dharapani substation. After the transmission line is activated from the substation, the length of the transmission line will be reduced, leading to improved power supply. The construction of the Dharapani substation is underway and is expected to be completed within a year and a half.
