Exactly six years ago, in 2073 BD, schedules of load shedding were published every week. Tihar, also known as the festival of lights, has its own dignity and importance. However, even on the occasion of Tihar, Nepali people had to exchange their happiness in the light of candles.

Times and situations have changed now. Due to the policy taken by the government of the joint coalition of the Nepali Congress and the CPN (Maoist Center), power cuts from the Kathmandu Valley ended on the day of Lakshmi Puja in 2073 BS. The initiative of the current Finance Minister and then Energy Minister Janardan Sharma and the role played by the Managing Director Kulman Ghising of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is equally important.

Power cuts and load shedding has become history in Nepal. On Monday, Lakshmi Puja, the important day of Tihar, was celebrated across the country with great fervor. A total of 1,350 megawatts of electricity was consumed across the country on Monday according to the NEA.

The maximum electricity consumption during Tihar last year was equal to 1,200 megawatts (MW). This year, 105 MW more electricity has been consumed compared to last year. NEA stated that the maximum demand of electricity is around 342 MW in Kathmandu Valley. Even on the day of Lakshmi Puja, the authority exported 380 MW of electricity to India. According to Ghising, 767.5 megawatts of electricity was available in the system from the projects of private sector energy entrepreneurs on Monday.

Similarly, a total of 482.2 megawatts was available from the projects of subsidiary companies of the authority. 435 MW of electricity was available in the system from the semi-reservoir projects of the authority. On this basis, when exports to India are added as well, it appears that the total consumption of electricity is 1,668 MW. However, even on the day of Lakshmi Puja, a total of 200 MW of electricity was wasted.

On Monday evening, the authority's managing director Ghising, a team with deputy executive officers were deployed from the load dispatch center at Syuchatar to manage electricity demand and supply on the day of Lakshmi Puja. The authority has been successful in supplying electricity across the country without interruption. However, the demand for electricity has not increased as expected.