The locals have demanded the operation of a wind energy project in a remote village of Parbat, which has been stalled for nearly two decades. The wind power generation technology, built with an investment of millions of rupees in Falamkhani, Mahashila Rural Municipality–6, has been neglected due to a lack of maintenance.

The wind energy project, established and operated two decades ago, has deteriorated over time due to a lack of maintenance. No electricity has been generated from the center. As the installed equipment has become non-functional, the locals have demanded repairs.

The locals have demanded the re-operation of the wind energy center, which is in a deteriorated condition. Established in 2060 BS (2003 AD), the center was shut down just three years later in 2063 BS (2006 AD). An organization named TITIBG had constructed the wind energy project with an investment of over one crore rupees.

Local resident Thakur Rasaili informed that the wind energy project, which shut down just a year after its start due to the lack of preservation and maintenance, is now in an abandoned state. He mentioned that the investment in the project has also been wasted.

According to Govinda Bishwakarma, the ward chairperson of Falamkhani, the wind energy project was established at Dhaden hill in Falamkhani, situated at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level, because of the high wind potential in the area. After the wind energy project became operational, hundreds of households in Falamkhani, Bhangara, and surrounding areas were able to consume electricity. Now, in its abandoned state, they are left watching helplessly, he said.

The locals have urged the concerned authorities to move forward with the stalled project. Ward Chairperson Bishwakarma mentioned that the hill, where even wind measurements can be taken, could be re-evaluated, and the project can be resumed. He stated that they have requested the District Coordination Committee, the Ministry of Energy, and others to restart electricity production from the project and expand it to all households in the village.

According to a report prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme, Nepal has the potential to generate 3,000 megawatts of electricity from wind energy. Approximately 12 kilowatts of electricity used to be produced from that particular project.

Locals believe that if the wind energy project can be reconstructed, around 300 households in Falamkhani, along with the residents of neighboring wards Bhagara and Pakhapani, would directly benefit. Chairperson Ishwari Bhusal of Mahashila Rural Municipality stated that the municipality is preparing to conduct a detailed study of the wind energy project and create a plan for its re-operation. She mentioned that efforts to manage the stalled project will begin from the current fiscal year.

Source: Onlinekhabar