Flood Devastation Causes Irreparable Damage to Hydropower Infrastructure

Kathmandu. The unimaginable flood that occurred in the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers on the 10th of Bhadra has turned dozens of hydropower structures in Rasuwa and Nuwakot into riverbeds. The flood has caused irreparable damage to 11 hydropower projects, both under the Nepal Electricity Authority and promoted by the private sector, which are in operation and under construction. The projects' dams, headworks, powerhouses, access roads, and transmission structures have been destroyed. Some skilled technicians and employees have lost their lives, and some are still missing. Amidst the immense damage caused by the flood, the most serious crisis requiring immediate solutions is seen in the transmission infrastructure. Due to the damage to the transmission lines by the flood, electricity from other projects, except those completely destroyed, cannot be produced. The flood has not only damaged hydropower projects but also completely washed away the Trishuli Three B substation hub, considered the backbone for transmitting electricity to the national grid. With the substation hub washed away by the flood, 146.3 megawatts of electricity generated from six operational hydropower projects, whose structures were undamaged, cannot be connected to the national system, leading to a complete halt in production. Even though the structures are intact, the absence of a substation to connect the electricity means millions of units of electricity are being wasted daily. Hydropower companies have stated that this is causing significant financial losses daily. The Electricity Authority is discussing solutions for the crisis in the transmission line caused by the flood. While the authority cannot immediately bring back 430 megawatts of electricity that went out of the system due to the flood, it has started seeking alternative ways to connect the 146.3 megawatts of electricity, which was not damaged, to the transmission line and seeking government support. For this, the authority has accelerated the work of constructing an alternative transmission line on a fast track. Spokesperson of the Authority, Rajan Dhakal, said that there is no possibility of immediately reconstructing the projects damaged by the flood. He said, 'It takes a lot of time to build a substation. Therefore, we have planned to bring the hydropower projects of Sanjen Khola directly to the Matatirtha substation in Kathmandu from the Chilime hub. Discussions are ongoing with the ministry to facilitate the implementation of this plan.' According to Spokesperson Dhakal, out of the 450 megawatts that went out of the system, projects with a capacity of about 300 megawatts have been completely damaged. It is estimated that it will take 1 to 2 years to reconstruct and bring these damaged projects back into operation. However, the remaining projects with a capacity of 150 megawatts are in a condition to be connected to the national system as soon as the transmission line is repaired. 'Due to the flood washing away the transmission line, the electricity production of about 5-6 projects has stopped,' said Spokesperson Dhakal, 'If the line is built, 150 megawatts of electricity will be connected to the system immediately.' The authority has stated that it is still difficult to work in the flood-affected areas using machinery and tools. According to the authority, studies are underway at various levels to determine whether powerhouses can be rebuilt in the same location and how to proceed with reconstruction. A technical committee including the authority has already been formed by the ministry to assess the damage and decide on future steps, and an engineering company is also studying it, he said. The government and the Ministry of Energy are also seriously working on this matter, informed Spokesperson Dhakal. 'The government is preparing specific criteria for this. A high-level committee comprising experts has been formed at the ministry level,' Dhakal said, 'This committee is studying the cause of the damage on-site and what needs to be done.'

146.3 Megawatts of Electricity Wasted Due to Lack of Transmission Line