At least 20 hydropower plants have sustained damage from floods and landslides triggered by relentless rainfall over the past two days, leading to widespread disruptions in power supply across the country.
As a result of this devastation, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), which had been exporting over 500 MW of electricity daily to India during the monsoon, is now relying on imported electricity to meet domestic demand. NEA spokesperson Chandan Kumar Ghosh reported that the agency imported 300 MW of electricity from India on Saturday.
Before the recent disasters, Nepal was producing around 3,000 MW of electricity. However, the recent floods and landslides have reduced production to just 1,300 MW.
According to the Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN), 1,177 MW of electricity from 15 power projects has been completely halted since Saturday, with damages amounting to Rs 2.31 billion. The floods have impacted powerhouses, transmission lines, access roads, and other infrastructure associated with these projects.
Significant damage was reported at the 456 MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, the 22 MW Mandu Hydropower Project, and the 14.9 MW Hewa Khola Hydropower Project. Additionally, electricity production has also been affected at the 86 MW Solu Dudh Koshi Hydropower Project, as well as the 9.6 MW Mai Khola and its 3 MW cascade project.
Other projects impacted include the 1 MW Pheme Khola Hydropower Project, 5 MW Siuri Khola Hydropower Project, 40 MW Super Nyadi Hydropower Project, 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1, 20 MW Langtang Khola Hydropower Project, and 4.36 MW Tungun-Thosne Hydropower Project. The ongoing construction of the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-2 Hydropower Project in Rasuwa also faced significant damage.
The access road for the Sabhakhola-C Hydroelectric Project has been compromised, and the road infrastructure for the Landruk Modi Hydroelectric Project has been washed away. Furthermore, the flood has swept away construction equipment from the Super Trishuli Hydropower Project.
In terms of transmission infrastructure, the Khimti-Lamosangu transmission line suffered damage, with Tower No. 7 swept away, disrupting electricity supply to Kathmandu. Similarly, the Damak to Godak transmission line was affected, with Tower No. 51 washed away. Additional transmission lines in the Solu and Koshi corridors have also been damaged.
