Kathmandu June 2:

The Gandaki state government has decided to manage solar energy in the areas having no possibility of being connected to the national grid at the moment. The state government through its annual policies and programmes for the Fiscal Year 2077/78 BS announced to ensure solar energy facility for 1,160 households of seven local levels in Mustang, Manang, Myagdi and Gorkha districts on the government grants. Presenting the policies and programmes in the SA, state Chief Amik Sherchan said the ongoing COVID-19 crisis had its impact on the government resolution to announce ‘ Gandaki State: Illuminated State Programme’, adding the programme has been postponed for the next year. On the occasion, he pledged to extend access to national transmission line in Gorkha, Nawalpur, Lamjung, Manang, Baglung, Myagdi and Mustang districts with cooperation from the Federal Government. As the state government announced, public-private partnership will be implemented to promote investment in solar, wind and hydro energy. More, the use of renewable energy within the state will be promoted and maintenance of the micro hydro-power projects will be carried out as per the necessity. Similarly, the government is to promote the consumption of electricity in the industrial sector and for household purpose. It plans to provide grants to promote the use of electric stove so as to replace the use of LP (cooking) gas. The government said works to replace around 70,000 wooden electric poles with steel poles in the next three years would be continued.