Wind-solar hybrid energy project redefining Bhorleni

Phaparbari (Makwanpur), Jan 6: Never had Chatur Bahadur Ghalani of Phaparbari VDC-3 in Bhorleni, Makawanpur believed that the electricity could be generated from other sources besides water and sun.

When his house and village were illuminated by the electricity generated from the wind which often blows severely from dawn to early morning across the village, Ghalani now does not believe his eyes.

The Wind-Solar Hybrid Energy Project, installed by the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) in Bhorleni in the district, produces 25 kilowatt of energy-10 kilowatt from wind and 15 kilowatts solar, adequate enough to illuminate the village.

As many as 131 households in Bhorleni are not only happy but also consider themselves lucky to access electricity round the clock at time when the country is reeling under the power outage up to 14 hours a day.

Their happiness would not haves been possible without the Project constructed at the cost of Rs 10.25 million, of which Rs 8.9 million was made available by this government institution that develops and promotes renewable energy.

The local bodies and communities have also contributed both in cash and kind for the Project.

The locals raised fund, Rs 3 million, and did labor volunteering and donated a piece of their land to realize this undertaking which has helped change the face of this remote village bordering Kavrepalanchowk and Sindhuli district.

Another local Prem Bahadur Lopchan gushed, “I have heard that the cities suffer power outage up to 15 hours a day but we have been accessing electricity 24/7.”

Earlier, Bhorleni was an unwanted locality with no fertile soil and proper irrigation and road facilities. With the electrification, the place and lifestyle of its people underwent a sea change as it helped in expansion of road, communication and irrigation and other basic amenities to the nook and corners of this village.

Offering an insight into the difference made by electricity in the lives of locals, Dhan Kumari Timilsina, a housewife, shared that she has been able to use electronic appliances like television, radio with the reach of electricity. “I keep abreast of national and international developments through news in television. Electricity has our lifestyles in various ways.”

Dalbir Ale, who grew up in darkness in lack of electricity, shared that he was marveled by varied usage of electricity. The 97-year-old confided, “The comfort brought by electricity to my life has made me yearn to live more.”

“The school has not only seen an increment in students’ footfall but also improvement in the teaching learning activities, thanks to the electricity,” adds Jagat Bahadur Thokar, a teacher at Geeta Primary School in the locality.

Thokar, who studied in the light of traditional lamps, expressed his happiness for his students to avail the most useful form of energy like electricity.

The second-of-its-kind Project, although started producing electricity since May 29, 2015, Minister for Population and Environment Bishwendra Paswan formally inaugurated it on Tuesday amid a programme.

On the occasion, Minister Paswan pledged that the government was committed towards the development and promotion of alternative energy technology like wind-solar energy as the country is plagued by energy-crisis.

Prakash Aryal, Technical Officer at AEPC, mentioned that many rural windy areas in the country that are shrouded in darkness could be illuminated by producing electricity from wind.

The AEPC first set up Wind-Solar Hybrid Energy Project at Dhauwadi VDC in Nawalparasi district.