Floods and Landslides Cause NPR 2.45 Billion in Damage to Nepal's Hydropower Sector, 1,100 MW Power Production Halted

Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation has reported that recent floods and landslides have caused approximately NPR 2.45 billion in damages to the country’s hydropower sector. This disaster has resulted in the shutdown of 1,100 MW of electricity production across the country, while the irrigation sector has also sustained damages amounting to NPR 1.35 billion. This has led to serious disruptions in the nation’s energy supply.

Major Hydropower Projects Affected

1. Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW):
   Located in Dolakha, this 456 MW project has been shut down due to severe damage to its dam, control rooms, and canals. The project has been non-operational for three days, and the inability to resume operations in the near future poses a serious risk to load management. This project had been a major contributor to the country’s energy production.

2. Mandu Khola Hydropower Project (22 MW):
   Situated in Bagmati Province, the Mandu Khola Hydropower project’s powerhouse has been completely submerged. The flood caused by the release of the Kulekhani Dam severely damaged the powerhouse, halting its production.

3. Lower Hewa Khola Hydropower Project (22.1 MW):
   In Taplejung, the Lower Hewa Khola project has also been affected by flooding, damaging its powerhouse and other structures. Last year, a flood washed away the project’s bridge, and this year, the flood caused the same destruction.

4. Upper Trishuli 2 Hydropower Project (216 MW):
   The 216 MW Upper Trishuli 2 project, under construction in Rasuwa, has also suffered severe damage from floods and landslides. The project’s physical infrastructure and equipment have been heavily affected, and 215 workers have been relocated to safety.

Transmission Line Damages

1. Khimti-Lamosanghu Transmission Line:
   The Tamakoshi River has swept away a tower of the Khimti-Lamosanghu transmission line, disrupting the flow of 200 MW of electricity to Kathmandu. Another tower, responsible for transmitting an additional 800 MW, is also at risk, according to the ministry.

2. Kabeli Corridor:
   Two transmission towers in the Kabeli Corridor have been damaged by the floods, leading to a power outage in Ilam and Fidim in Panchthar. Efforts are underway to restore electricity in the area.

3. Other Transmission Lines:
   The Solu Corridor, Koshi Corridor, and Damak-Godak transmission lines have also been affected. In particular, Tower 51 of the Damak-Godak line was swept away by the flood.

Ongoing Construction Projects Fifteen hydropower projects, with a total capacity of 1,010 MW, currently under construction, have also suffered significant damage due to floods and landslides. Reconstruction of these projects will require substantial time and investment.

Severe Energy Supply Challenges With the cessation of 1,100 MW of power production, the Nepal Electricity Authority has imported an additional 300 MW from India. According to Kulman Ghising, if the Upper Tamakoshi project remains offline for an extended period, there is a potential for load-shedding across the country. The agricultural sector is also expected to suffer due to damage in irrigation systems.

Reconstruction and Restoration Challenges The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and significant time and resources will be needed for reconstruction. The restoration of hydropower projects, transmission lines, and irrigation structures will pose major challenges in the coming days.

This disaster has profoundly impacted Nepal’s hydropower production, creating immediate and long-term challenges for the nation’s energy supply system.