Electricity demand in Nepal is expected to peak at around 1,700 megawatts on Laxmi Puja, the most power-intensive day of the Tihar festival, as households illuminate their homes with decorative lights. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) says there will be no disruption to electricity supply despite the anticipated surge in consumption.

Electricity consumption during Tihar has been rising steadily over the years. Peak demand on Laxmi Puja reached 1,650MW last year, compared with 1,602MW in 2024, 1,438MW in 2023 and 1,305MW in 2022.

Recalling a time when households faced more than 12 hours of daily power cuts during major festivals such as Tihar, the authority said the country had since transformed into an electricity exporter.

The NEA began its campaign to end load-shedding by ensuring round-the-clock electricity supply in the Kathmandu Valley on Laxmi Puja in 2016. The entire country was declared free of scheduled power cuts in 2018.

According to NEA Executive Director Dirghayukumar Shrestha, domestic electricity generation is projected to reach around 2,500MW during Tihar. With generation expected to substantially exceed domestic demand, the authority says it will have no difficulty maintaining a stable supply.

Rajan Dhakal, chief of the Distribution and Customer Service Directorate, said meeting household demand would be even easier as industries that consume large amounts of electricity would remain closed during the festival.

“Electricity consumption is highest on Laxmi Puja, but we have sufficient domestic generation. As we are also exporting electricity, there will be no problem even if demand increases,” Dhakal said.

The authority has made special arrangements to ensure an uninterrupted and reliable electricity supply during Tihar and Chhath.

A virtual meeting chaired by Executive Director Shrestha with the senior management team and provincial office chiefs decided on measures to monitor the power system and mobilise technical personnel.

Maintenance teams have been kept on standby round the clock to respond immediately to power outages and line tripping. Technicians have also been instructed to ensure that the authority's 'No Light' service helplines remain operational, respond promptly to consumer complaints and resolve supply-related problems without delay.