Rural Electrification in Nepal: Experiences Future Perspectives

摘要

Rural electrification is one of the key infrastructure elements and indispensable component required for the economic development of the country. The major objective of rural electrification in Nepal is guided by the theme "Electricity to All by 2027" i.e. electricity to meet the demand for domestic, agriculture, irrigation and small scale industries and other economic activities in the rural areas. Electrification of the remote rural areas far from the grid, where the bulk of population lives is a difficult task. Out of total, currently 7 % of rural people have electricity supply. Electricity can play a vital role in improving the quality of rural life creating employment opportunities, reduce deforestation and expand domestic agricultural production. In Nepal, rural electrification is carried out through extension of grid lines, local grid supplied by mini, micro and small hydro plants, solar power and bio-gas plants. Rural electrification is very costly to rural people and it is not affordable to most of them unless support instruments are institutionalized. Rural Electrification in the country has played a significant role in the socio-economic development of the rural people and will be an effective tool to achieve the national goal of poverty alleviation thus helping in the building of new and prosperous Nepal.