Monsoon disasters damage 16 hydropower projects: IPPAN

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 29 : Landslides and floods triggered by continuous rainfall over the past two days have caused significant damage to 16 hydropower projects across Nepal. According to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN), the floods have severely impacted powerhouses, transmission lines, and other critical infrastructure, with the full extent of the damage still being assessed.

The Upper Tamakoshi Project, developed by the Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project Limited—a subsidiary of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA)—has sustained damage to its dam site and sand filtration pond. Four individuals, including two workers and a security personnel, are reported missing following a landslide that struck the project site late Saturday morning, according to CEO Mohan Prasad Gautam. The 456-megawatt project’s production has been completely disrupted, causing significant strain on the national power supply. As a result, the NEA has had to import an additional 300 megawatts of electricity from India to compensate for the shortfall.

Several other hydropower projects have reported extensive damage and halted production due to the floods. The Bagmati Small Hydropower Project, with a capacity of 22 megawatts, has seen its powerhouse completely submerged. This project is promoted by Mandu Hydropower. Similarly, production at the 22.1-megawatt Lower Hewakhola Hydropower Project has been stopped due to flooding, marking the second consecutive year this project has been affected by such disasters. The 14.9-megawatt Hewakhola Hydropower Project, which was undergoing reconstruction after being damaged last year, has again been affected by floods.

The 86-megawatt Solu Dudhkoshi Hydropower Project has ceased operations as its dam has suffered severe damage. This project is promoted by Sahas Energy. Additionally, the three-megawatt Maikhola Cascade Hydropower Project’s dam and other structures have been damaged. This project is promoted by Sagarmatha Hydropower Company. The nine-megawatt Maikhola Hydropower Project, also promoted by Sagarmatha Hydroelectricity Company, has experienced damage to its dam and transmission line.

The Pheme Khola Hydropower Project has been impacted as the Sutrikhola rivulet damaged key power production structures. The Suparnyadi Hydropower Project, with a total capacity of 40 megawatts, has suffered damage to its access road and safety wall. The Elep River Tatopani Hydropower Project has seen its camp house and access road severely impacted by floodwaters. The 216-megawatt Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project, constructed with Korean investment, has experienced damage to its camp house and access road, and three containers loaded with construction materials have been swept away.

In the Sabhakhola-B Hydropower Project, landslides have impacted the access road, burying the powerhouse and damaging the dam. Likewise, the Sabhakhola-C Hydroelectric Project has seen its access road washed away. The Landruk Modi Hydroelectric Project has reported the loss of significant road infrastructure due to flooding. Meanwhile, at the Super Trishuli Hydropower Project, with a total capacity of 100 megawatts, construction equipment, including two excavator loaders and three tippers, has been swept away by the flood. The under-construction powerhouse has been buried, and a Bailey bridge at the site has been destroyed.

The widespread damage has disrupted the power distribution network, resulting in a loss of 980 megawatts of power supply per hour. As a temporary solution, the NEA has increased electricity imports from India. The full assessment of damages is still ongoing, and the total loss is expected to rise as more information becomes available.