Energy Minister Basnet emphasizes need to increase electricity consumption

PATAN: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, has underscored the need to increase electricity consumption within the country.

Addressing a discussion programme on the promotion of electric cooking stoves organised on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the Electric Cooking Stove National Campaign in Lalitpur today, Minister Basnet said the electric stove is useful for every Nepali from the economic, social and environmental viewpoint.

At the discussion programme with the theme, 'Let us increase the use of electric stove: Let us contribute to improving health', Minister Basnet said that the government has emphasized the production of maximum hydroelectricity as it is the basis for the country's prosperity.

He suggested enlisting the participation of private sector also by providing it with subsidies and concessions in the production of hydropower for the campaign's success. 

The Energy Minister called on all sides to be serious regarding the climate change impacts, including in the agricultural sector. 

Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Gopal Prasad Sigdel, said the government's attention is centred on promoting and increasing the use of electric cooking stoves to substitute the import of liquefied petroleum gas through the 16th periodic plan that commences from the next fiscal year. 

National Association of Community Electricity Users-Nepal (NACEUN) Chairman Narayan Gyawali, on the occasion, shared that together with various organisations, they have been effortful in making this campaign meaningful and successful. 

The campaign was launched on January 25, 2019.

By RSS