This year's floods and landslides have severely impacted electricity production in Nepal, causing at least 1,100 MW of hydropower to go offline due to interruptions in both generation and transmission systems. The transmission lines and distribution networks of several hydropower projects are in disarray, with the stalled projects alone accounting for a production capacity of 650 MW.
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) stated that meeting energy demand would be challenging, as many power stations were shut down following the disaster-induced crisis. Preliminary reports from the Ministry of Energy revealed that the incessant rain-induced floods and landslides damaged 36 projects, which collectively had the capacity to generate 1,100 MW of electricity.
The Kabeli Corridor projects, responsible for meeting eastern Nepal's energy needs, were also heavily affected by the disaster. Damage to three transmission towers alone has led to the disruption of around 200 MW of electricity. Similarly, a tower from the Khimti Lamosanghu transmission line, which transports electricity from the Tamakoshi Corridor to Kathmandu, was washed away by the Tamakoshi River, causing the loss of an additional 200 MW of electricity.
The incessant rain collapsed a tower on the Bardaghat-Sardi 132 kV double circuit transmission line. Hongshi Shivam Cement, operating in Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East) with Chinese and Nepali investment, lost power on Monday evening after the collapse of the transmission tower.
The NEA Managing Director, Kulman Ghising, noted the widespread impact of damage to transmission line towers, which complicates the electricity supply situation far more than individual hydropower plant shutdowns.
Damaged access roads have made transporting construction materials difficult, delaying the repair and reconstruction of affected hydropower projects.
The recent disaster is also expected to prolong the construction and maintenance of hydropower projects. As a result officials fear that electricity supply will not be available as per the agreement with the NEA.
Energy Minister Deepak Khadka stated that necessary decisions would be made in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance to address reconstruction, road repairs, and insurance matters.
The country's energy sector has been hit hard by floods, landslides, and rains in recent years.
In 2017, more than a dozen NEA substations and physical structures were damaged due to relentless rainfall. Similarly, the floods and landslides of June 2021 damaged over 18 projects. The 44 MW Super Madi project in Kaski, which was under construction, suffered a loss of around Rs 1 billion. The Modi River floods swept away equipment, including the dam site, powerhouse, workers' quarters, loaders, excavators, penstock pipes, and the hydropower plant. That same year's floods also affected the Super Dordi hydropower project, while the Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project saw water enter through its tailrace, and floods also wreaked havoc in Melamchi.
Despite insurance coverage for hydropower projects, there have been ongoing challenges with claim settlement. Last year alone, insurance claims settlement amounted to Rs 7 billion, and liabilities are expected to rise again this year.
Experts have recommended improvements in project planning, design, and pre-construction forecasting systems to better address the challenges posed by floods and landslides to Nepal's energy sector.
