National power grid reaches Tilicho base camp in Manang

Kathmandu, November 10 — The base camp of Tilicho Lake, a popular tourist destination in the mountainous Manang district, has now been connected to the national power grid.

The base camp, located at an altitude of 4,250 meters above sea level in the Khangsar area of Manang's Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9, has started receiving electricity from the national transmission line. A 50 kVA transformer has been installed to supply electricity to the area.

At the base camp, there are 10 hotels, a health post, and small restaurants, with a total of 15 electricity consumers. Prior to the arrival of the national power line, the base camp relied on solar power and diesel generators for electricity. The area falls within the Annapurna Conservation Area.

Chyolpa Gurung, the ward chairman of Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9, stated that the arrival of the national transmission line has significantly eased electricity supply issues, which were previously a major problem due to reliance on solar backup systems. 

“Now, with the national grid, machines have been set up to measure the oxygen levels of trekkers heading towards Tilicho Lake. We can now boil water using electricity, reducing the use of gas by about 40%,” Gurung explained. He also mentioned that with the new electricity supply, it would be possible to use air conditioning in hotels and induction stoves for cooking, completely eliminating the need for gas. 

Gurung also noted that firewood has traditionally been expensive in the region, making cooking and boiling water with gas a necessity. However, with electricity now available, this practice can be reduced.

A few days ago, the Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Kulman Ghising, visited Khangsar in Ngisyang Rural Municipality-9 and confirmed the connection of the national grid to Tilicho Lake's base camp as part of the government’s initiative to brighten religious and tourist destinations.

In a discussion with local stakeholders, Ghising mentioned, "We were focused on bringing the national grid to the base camp. We will prioritize the improvement of power lines to ensure a reliable and high-quality electricity supply for Manang, which receives a large number of domestic and foreign tourists."

The power transmission line to the base camp also involves the extension of a 33 kV line from the Radhisana Hydropower Station in Marshyangdi Rural Municipality-5 in Lamjung. The line passes through the Chame Rural Municipality-1 Syakru 33/11 kV substation and supplies power to the base camp via an 11 kV line that passes through Chame, the district's main town.

To further improve electricity supply in Manang, NEA operates two small hydropower plants: the 45 kW Chame Small Hydropower and the 80 kW Manang Small Hydropower. In case of a power trip or interruption in the national grid, these plants continue to supply electricity to the region, as explained by Raju Mahato, head of the NEA Manang Distribution Center.