Nepal is in a devastating scenario where the demand for energy is increasing at a faster pace. People are consuming more energy as compared to their predecessors. Energy consumption per capita is directly proportional to the economy of the country. For example; the Americans have the highest per capita energy consumption followed by Japanese and Europeans.

It’s our duty to change behavior that could significantly reduce the chaos in the energy supply system of Nepal. Some of the minor steps that could prove beneficial for lower energy consumption are highlighted as follows;

• Shutting down the computer, television, radio and other electrical appliances when it is not being used.
• Using LED bulbs and LCD television.
• Avoiding use of multiple appliances at a single time.
• Operating Laptops and mobiles with minimum applications.
• Minimizing use of any electrical appliances like heaters, refrigerators, washing machine, Microwave, etc. that consume higher amount of energy.
• Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use. Many chargers draw power continuously, even when the device is not plugged into the charger.
• Avoiding use of heaters in winter, but instead wearing warm clothes.

How can we bring innovation in the management of load-shedding?

There’s no doubt that alternative energy can contribute towards our purpose. One simple approach could be use of electricity generated from solar panels, especially at peak load demand by local consumers. This could substantially reduce the load on the national grid. On the other hand, we must avoid using locally manufactured, highly inefficient inverters that consume more energy for charging as compared to discharging to compensate its inherent losses. Thus, the government of Nepal should boycott such inverters from the Nepalese market. We as a Nepalese citizen indeed need to change our mind-set and should compromise on cost while buying inverters. If we make a cost-benefit ratio analysis, then it is for sure that the benefit outweighs the cost. We can use “mud pot dipped in wet sand” to cool drinking water rather than using the refrigerator. This looks traditional approach but it has been effective to some extent. In addition to this, the other example could be that of using salt as preservative rather than using deep freezer. It is obvious that we have to compromise, but this little effort when gets accumulated could result to mammoth achievement. Another example could be use of sink on the top of the toilet that would save ample amount of water which consequently saves electricity that is used to operate electric motors to lift water in our tank.

Is younger generation allured towards energy?

May be or may be not they love energy like they do love western culture. But, the question always comes to our mind about its harmful effect on energy consumption pattern, either energy is being misused or being used excessively. We must come towards common values towards saving our country from scarcity of energy and must execute an awareness program that could primarily address our younger generations. Our future demand and supply curve of energy depends upon these youngsters who will have to lead our country. So, isn’t this their responsibility to balance in between westernization and modernization? In other words, one can use modern tools to become competitive in the national as well as international market, but needs to be done wisely and responsibly.

Note: The information in this blog is personal view of writer.