Solar mini grid brings electricity to 120 households in Chhangru, Darchula

Dhangadhi: Electricity supply through solar energy has begun in Chhangru of Beas Rural Municipality-1, Darchula. A 53-kilowatt capacity solar mini grid, constructed with the support of the Alternative Energy Promotion Center and the labor contribution of local consumers, is now providing electricity to 120 households, three commercial firms and four government offices.

According to Ward Chairman Ashok Singh Bohara, the operation of the solar mini grid has enabled local consumers to use electricity regularly, except for a few hours each day. He said that due to cold weather conditions, the electricity supply is shut down from 9–10 pm to 2 am to allow the batteries to rest.

To distribute the electricity generated by the mini grid, a 1.113-kilometer three-phase transmission line and a 432-meter single-phase line have been constructed. The grid is supplying electricity to various government offices, including ward offices, schools and health posts, as well as the Armed Police Office. In addition, 20 street lights have been installed in the area.

Senior Officer of the Alternative Energy Promotion Center, Amanuwal Haque Ansari, said that the center has invested Rs 41.333 million in the project, while local consumers contributed 10 percent of the required labor. He added that although the grid has been in operation since Asad, it has yet to be formally handed over to the consumers.

Earlier efforts to provide electricity in Chhangru through micro-hydropower had been unsuccessful due to repeated damage caused by snowfall, floods and landslides. Ward Chairman Bohara said that the hydropower plant, which was built with a 40 percent subsidy from the Poverty Alleviation Fund and 60 percent investment by consumers, could not be operated on a long-term basis.