Electricity consumption touches high point on Laxmi Puja

The Laxmi Puja festival, a day within the Tihar festival witnessed a significant increase in electricity consumption, reaching a peak of 1,602 megawatts at 6:25 PM on Thursday. This was mentioned the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

This consumption record marks an increase of 164 megawatts from demand of 1,438 megawatts on the Laxmi Puja last year. It is an indicator of growing trend in electricity consumption during this culturally important event when lighting is a part of celebration.

The increase in demand can be attributed to various factors, including the widespread use of electric lights, decorations, and modern appliances, which have become integral to the festivities.

The increase in power demand clarify the importance of reliable electricity supply during peak times, particularly during major festivals when usage escalates significantly.

However, due to festival holidays, business houses, industries and electricity consumers were closed, as such the electricity was consumed in the said festival were households and commercial buildings mainly.

Moreover, the surplus 253 megawatt of electricity was exported to India by fulfilling the demand of power of the country during peak hour.     

Thus, overall demand of 1,855 megawatt electricity was recorded in import was recorded on Lamxi Puja this year which was 1955 megawatt last year.

The Nepal Electricity Authority faces the challenge of meeting this demand while ensuring the stability of the power grid. This year’s increase suggests that as the population grows and living standards improve, the energy consumption patterns will continue to develop.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) was created on August 16, 1985 (Bhadra 1, 2042) under the Nepal Electricity Authority Act. 1984, through the merger of the Department of Electricity of Ministry of Water Resources, Nepal Electricity Corporation and related Development Boards.

The primary objective of NEA is to generate, transmit and distribute adequate, reliable and affordable power by planning, constructing, operating and maintaining all generation, transmission and distribution facilities in Nepal’s power system both interconnected and isolated.