Power cuts and load shedding in Nepal is now a normality. Kathmandu has a load shedding electricity schedule which means that power is only available at selected times every day. Currently this mean that most areas have maximum of 12 hrs electricity a day, in various time slots, and can be up to only 5 hours of power a day at some points in the year.
As reported on the BBC news channel:
"One of Nepal's top television networks has begun broadcasting its nightly news bulletin in semi-darkness to highlight the effects of massive power cuts.
Since the beginning of February, Kantipur Television has used only a kerosene (paraffin) lantern to light its 30-minute-long 7pm news bulletin.
The head of Kantipur News said that the aim was to put pressure on the government to tackle the problem...."
For the rest of the article, please see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12356312
For all businesses in Nepal this is a real challenge - larger businesses have to install generators to have power available throughout the working day for constant work flow with machinery and computers, which is a great added expense for their outgoings. Smaller businesses, such as the factories and production units that I work with, cannot afford these costs and have to organise their working day around the power cuts.
This can be really frustrating as without power, the computers and internet will be out of action, so communication with customers abroad can be infrequent and difficult to maintain (I find this really difficult when I am back in the UK and liasing with my producers by phone or email!). Also, within the factories, many electric machinery will be out of action at certain points in the day. Though my leather producer uses foot-powered sewing machines, which are not only better for the carbon footprint but avoids this power cut problem! This is a challenge that my producers have faced over the last few years and they work with it the best they can!
Evenings are usually without power, maybe 5 nights in the week, which many of my producers do not seem to mind by eating at candle light and going to bed early (the Nepalese are definately 'morning' people, bussling around their homes and streets from 5am). For me, it is a hard thing to get use to, the 'rationing' of electricity, as we are so used to it constantly in the UK.
Though Nepali people just get on with it, there is no question how it has affected trade and daily life in Nepal. It is estimated that only 40% of Nepal's population have access to any electricity, despite the massive possibilities for Hydro-Electicity in Nepal, with estimates that only 2% of the country's hydro power potential has been tapped into.
With water flowing down from the mountains, Nepal is abundant with possibilities for hydro-power which has been stunted by the change in governments and political situation over the last 15 years.
Posted via email from AURA QUE
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