The base camp of Tilicho Lake and Yakkharka-Ledar area near Thorong-La pass in Manang district have been connected to the national transmission line.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has started distributing electricity through the national power grid to the Tilicho base camp, which is situated at an altitude of around 4,150 metres above sea level in ward 9 of Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality and Yakkharka-Ledar (4,200 metres above sea level) in ward no 6 of the same rural municipality.

According to engineer Raju Mahato, chief at Manang distribution centre of NEA, the electricity distribution commenced by installing 50 kVA transformers each in Yakkharka and Ledar. The NEA has already erected utility poles and fixed electricity wires up to Thorong-La high camp (4,880 metres above sea level). “We will soon distribute electricity in Thorong La high camp soon. Tourists visiting the Annapurna Circuit will greatly benefit from the electricity supply in the area,” said Mahato.

According to Mahato, Tilicho base camp was electrified some two months ago, and electricity reached Yakkharka-Ledar after the Tihar festival (November first week).

Tilicho lake, which lies at 4,919 metres above sea level, is a major tourist destination in the country. A good number of tourists, mostly domestic, visit the lake for its clear, serene beauty and sweeping Himalayan views.

Visiting tourists and the local people in Tilicho base camp and Yakkharka-Ledar have greatly benefited from the electrification. “The tourist areas were often in darkness as power backup from solar plants was insufficient. The electricity from the national power grid has eased the lives of both tourists and hoteliers in the areas,” said Chyolpa Gurung, ward chairman of ward 9 of Manang Ngisyang Rural Municipality who also operates a tourist hotel in Tilicho base camp.

According to him, an instrument for measuring oxygen levels targeting the visiting tourists has been set up to help detect and prevent high-altitude sickness. He said that if the power supply were regular and reliable, air conditioners could be installed in the hotels and electric stoves could be used in their kitchens.

Previously, hotels and restaurants in the area were solely dependent on solar panels and generators due to the lack of electricity supply. “We can now boil water and cook food by using electricity. We have reduced the use of cooking gas,” said Chyolpa.

The NEA currently serves 15 customers including 10 hotels, a health post, and small restaurants in Tilicho base camp. The electricity of the national transmission line has also been connected to four hotels and a monastery in nearby Srikharka. According to Mahato, there are 28 customers in Yakkharka and Ledar. “We are working to electrify 10 hotels at Thorong-La base camp,” he added.

The people’s representatives and local hoteliers have underscored the need for extending the national transmission line up to Thorong La pass (5,416 metres above sea level).

“National transmission line has reached Ledar-Yakkharka, and now electricity should be supplied to Thorong-La base camp, high camp and Thorong-La pass soon,” said Sonam Gurung, the chief of ward 6 of Ngisyang. He said that they demanded Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung, who recently visited Manang, to prioritise the electrification of Thorong-La area. “Currntly, they rely on generators, solar energy, and small peltric sets. When these fail, both hoteliers and tourists face difficulties. With the electricity reching Tilicho base camp, things are much easier now. It should be extended to the Thorong-La area soon,” he demanded.

Kulman Ghising, managing director of the NEA, reached Manang a few days ago and said that the electrification of the Tilicho base camp is part of a campaign to illuminate tourist areas.

The electricity for Manang is supplied from the sub-station of Randhi Small Hydropower Project in Lamjung to Syarkyu-based 33/11KV transmission line in Manang. If power supply is disrupted through the national transmission line in Manang, the NEA distributes electricity produced by the 45 KW Chame Small Hydropower Project and the 80 KW Manang Small Hydropower Project.