Urja Khabar
Kathmandu: The massive flood that swept through the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river basins on Wednesday has caused extensive damage to hydropower and solar power projects with a combined capacity of 901.1 MW, including both operational and under-construction projects.
According to a report prepared by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, 12 operational power projects with a combined capacity of 431.1 MW have been severely affected. The affected capacity includes 406.1 MW of hydropower and 25 MW of solar power.
The affected operational projects include 111 MW Rasuwagadhi, 78 MW Salasungi (Sanjen), 14.8 MW Upper Sanjen, 42.5 MW Sanjen, 22 MW Chilime, 20 MW Langtang Khola, 60 MW Upper Trishuli 3A, 14.5 MW Upper Mailung, 5 MW Mailung, 24 MW Trishuli and 14 MW Devighat. A 25 MW solar project operated by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has also been affected.
Similarly, 15 hydropower projects under construction with a combined capacity of 470 MW have sustained damage. These projects are being developed by NEA subsidiaries as well as private-sector developers in the affected river basin.
The disaster has also raised serious concerns over the safety of personnel working at power projects. A total of 196 employees and workers associated with hydropower stations, under-construction projects and electrical infrastructure remain out of contact following the floods.
The flood has caused significant damage to electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan. A 33 kV substation in Dhading has been buried under around five feet of mud, while 11 kV poles and transformers have also been damaged at various locations.
The 220 kV Trishuli 3B Hub substation has been completely damaged, while the 220 kV hub tower at Chilime has been obstructed. The Samundratar–Trishuli 132 kV transmission line has also been obstructed.
Similarly, the Chilime–Trishuli 66 kV, Chilime Hub–Trishuli 3B Hub–Matatirtha 220 kV and Trishuli–Balaju 66 kV transmission lines have been affected by the flood.
The damage has disrupted electricity supply across the affected districts. Electricity supply has been completely disrupted in Rasuwa, while partial disruption has been reported in Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha.
The NEA said electricity supply has already been restored in Nuwakot and efforts are underway to restore services in the other affected districts. The authority is continuously assessing the condition of damaged power infrastructure and prioritizing alternative arrangements wherever possible to maintain electricity supply.
According to the NEA, necessary instructions have been issued to the Grid Operation Department, Power System Operation Department and concerned distribution centres to keep the power system operational and expedite restoration work. Teams from the concerned offices are working continuously to repair damaged infrastructure and restore normal power supply.
