Nepal Struggles with Power Shortage

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Nepal is in the midst of an energy crisis, leaving the country in the dark. One TV station managed to get their news program on the air, but it was a far cry from normal TV studio lights.

Nepal is in the middle of a major power shortage. One TV station resorted to an age-old method to light up their news bulletin.

[Tirtha Koirala, News Chief, Kantipur TV]:
"Having to broadcast this bulletin with a lantern is a consequence of even more hardship that the Nepalese people are suffering."

Electric power is shut off for 12 hours a day because of production problems.

[Bijaya Sherchan, Nepal Electricity Authority Official]:
"There is not sufficient electricity production. On top of that, there is quite a leakage rather than the proper usage. There is a 26.5 leakage at Nepal Electricity Authority."

According to the CIA World Factbook, Nepal has enough hydropower but political uncertainty undermines the foreign investment needed to update facilities.

[Sher Singh Bhat, Nepal Electricity Authority Official]:
"There has not been any increment in the tariff since 19 years."

The Water Resources Minister sums up the country's plight.

[Prakash Saran Mahat, Nepali Water Resources Minister]:
"Electricity plays a big role in our life. It is used for different purposes. Therefore there is a greater demand by the people to build more transmission lines and increase overall electricity production."

Nepal is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, with almost one-quarter of its population living below the poverty line.