Out of Nepal's 753 local levels, 539 have been fully electrified, while 196 have been partially illuminated, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) informed.

According to the state-owned power utility, eighteen local levels remain unconnected to the national grid but have access to electricity through micro hydropower projects and solar plants.

The NEA’s electrification data for 2081 BS mentions that 99 percent of the population now has access to electricity. The data, based on a comprehensive study down to the ward level, reveals significant progress in electrification across the country.

Nepal currently has 5.935 million electricity customers. Among those with access to electricity, 97 percent receive power from the national grid, while the remaining 2 percent rely on alternative sources.

A total of 590 local levels have achieved electrification rates between 95 to 100 percent, 72 local levels have seen 75 to 95 percent electrification, 33 local levels are between 50 to 75 percent, 26 local levels are at 26 to 50 percent, and 32 local levels are electrified up to 25 percent, the data revealed.

NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising stated that the NEA is focusing on implementing the government's goal to ensure reliable and quality electricity for all citizens within the current fiscal year. He highlighted the substantial increase in the electrification rate from 58 percent in the fiscal year 2015/16 BS to 99 percent in the current fiscal year. The NEA is working to identify and connect households in remote areas still without electricity.

"We prioritize improving services in areas with existing electricity access and are committed to connecting those areas currently without NEA services," Ghising said.

Efforts are underway to provide electricity to all households in the mountainous and hill districts of the geographically challenging Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces within a year, added Ghising.

The NEA has selected contractors and initiated electrification projects in the hill districts of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces, funded by a $220 million soft loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Ghising added that efforts are being made to extend electricity access to other regions through government investment and by allocating a portion of the NEA's earnings.

Among Nepal's seven provinces, Madhes Province has achieved 100 percent electrification, Koshi Province 99.30 percent, Bagmati Province 99.97 percent, Gandaki Province 99.40 percent, and Lumbini Province 98.49 percent. Karnali Province has the lowest electrification rate at 74.38 percent, while Sudurpaschim Province stands at 86.58 percent.

Out of the country's 77 districts, only Humla remains to be connected to the national grid, with power supplied through micro-hydropower projects and solar energy.

Fifty-six districts have achieved between 95 to 100 percent electrification, 10 districts are between 75 to 95 percent, five districts are between 50 to 75 percent, and six districts are between 25 to 50 percent electrified, NEA stated.

In Koshi Province, all 14 districts except Solukhumbu and Sankhuwasabha have over 95 percent electrification. Solukhumbu has an electrification rate of 89.04 percent, and Sankhuwasabha stands at 93.99 percent. Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, and Dhankuta districts have achieved 100 percent electrification.

All eight districts of Madhes Province are fully electrified. In Bagmati Province, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Ramechhap, Nuwakot, and Chitwan districts have achieved 100 percent electrification, with the remaining districts having over 95 percent electrification.

In Gandaki Province, Tanahu, Syangja, Parbat, and Kaski districts are fully electrified, while Manang is at 87.81 percent, with the remaining districts exceeding 95 percent electrification.

In Lumbini Province, Rukum East has the lowest electrification rate at 32.24 percent, while Rolpa stands at 85 percent. Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Arghakhanchi, Gulmi, and Bardiya have achieved 100 percent electrification, with the remaining districts exceeding 95 percent.

In Karnali Province, Rukum West has the highest electrification rate at 95.8 percent, while Mugu has the lowest at 31.80 percent. Surkhet stands at 86.48 percent, Dailekh at 81.05 percent, Salyan at 79.50 percent, Jajarkot at 49.80 percent, Kalikot at 70.96 percent, Jumla at 62.47 percent, Dolpa at 42.75 percent, and Humla at 32.51 percent.

According to the NEA, in Sudurpaschim Province, Kanchanpur and Kailali are fully electrified. Bajura has the lowest electrification rate at 33.51 percent, while Dadeldhura has 94.08 percent, Doti 88.04 percent, Achham 65.97 percent, Baitadi 61.73 percent, Bajhang 69.03 percent, and Darchula 84.01 percent electrification. -- RSS