It is not because of enough electricity is generated in Jumla, as power generation in Jumla far below the demand, but the consumers have wisely utilized the available power.
Some 25 years ago, 169 kw Chandannath Micro-hydro Project was started with the aim to benefit 500 households. But the project is benefitting 3,000 households now while power generation has gone down to 130 kw. Yet, the district stands as a power-cut free zone, thanks to discretion of local consumers.
Jumla brought about this enigmatic innovation in energy efficiency after local consumers took responsibility of the project last year. President of the Project Consumers Committee (PCC) Bishnu Bahadur Budthapa said the key to success was finding out the ways to efficiently using the available electricity.
PCC has banned using high power consuming appliances like rice cooker, heater and bulbs and enforced a rule of fining Rs 500 in case of violation.
"You can no longer see any household turning on red bulbs, let alone using heaters and rods," Budthapa said.
PCC has also banned operating press and machines for an hour between 5 to 6 pm in the evening. As a result, operation of local industries is not interrupted in daytime.
To motivate the consumers toward efficient usage of electricity, PCC last year had bought CFL bulbs in bulk worth Rs 1 million which included an aid of Rs 400,000 from District Development Committee. Consumers now buy CFL bulbs themselves. "It is better to buy two CFL bulbs instead of paying Rs 500 in fine," said Lal Bahadur Rokaya of Chandannath-7.
Wise ways of using electricity has lit Jumla round the clock and at the same time generated a profit of Rs 5 million for the project over a year. "Earlier, 500 watt would be consumed with each household turning on five red bulbs. However, each household now lighting 10 CFL bulbs only use 55 watt. This is the key to our success," Budthapa said. According to him, distributing surplus power to additional 500 households has generated huge profit to the committee.
Before taking over operation of the project, locals had faced a day´s power cut every three days.
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