December 20: The demand for electricity has increased significantly in the domestic market, thanks to the effective policy of the government and practical action plan among other initiatives. The demand for electricity has been increasing by 20 per cent every year on an average, according to Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).    

The NEA informed that the internal demand for electricity has suddenly increased due to the steps taken to increase the electricity demand and the increase in cold weather. The peak demand for electricity this year has increased compared to the previous year and it is in the range of 300 megawatts. NEA has adopted the policy of promoting the use of electric appliances and to provide the required energy to the industries with the aim of increasing the domestic consumption of electricity following a surplus of electricity in the market.    

The big industries have been supplied with electricity as per their demand and this has helped enhance their production capacity.    

NEA has provided 30 megawatts of electricity to Hongshi Cement Industry, the largest cement factory in the country, since the second week of November. Another cement factory with Chinese investment, Huashin Cement Industry, has also taken 20 megawatts electricity.    

Electricity demand capacity both in terms of megawatts and energy units is found increasing. For instance, the peak demand in the system on December 13 was 1,539 megawatts whereas the peak demand on the same day last year was 1,217 megawatts – an increase of 322 megawatts. On this basis, the peak demand for electricity has increased by 26.5 per cent this year compared to the demand on the same date last year.    

In order to meet the peak demand for electricity on December 13, NEA had managed 540 megawatts of electricity from its power houses, 529 megawatts from the powerhouses of its subsidiary companies and 425 megawatts from the private sector power houses, and imported 25 megawatts from India. Four megawatts electricity was exported to India even during peak time on that date.    

Likewise, electricity demand has also increased suddenly in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions where there is high electricity consumption. The peak demand in the Valley last year was 293 megawatts and it has gone up to 382 megawatts this year. This shows that the demand for electricity has increased notably in the Kathmandu Valley as well. The use of electric induction ovens has increased in the Valley.    

On the basis of the energy demand, the electricity consumption was 27.2 million units on December 13, which is 28.65 per cent more compared to 21.1 million units on the same day last year. --  RSS