Damage to power infrastructure estimated at Rs 74bn after Bhotekoshi floods

KATHMANDU: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has reported extensive damage to generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure following floods in Bhotekoshi River on August 26.

The NEA said 430 megawatts of electricity were cut from the system after the floods damaged the 220 kV hub of the Upper Trishuli-III B project and other hydropower installations. NEA Executive Director Dirghayu Shrestha said preliminary losses to the NEA and its subsidiaries are estimated at around Rs 74 billion.

Several power plants were forced to shut down after persistent rainfall damaged key infrastructure components. The NEA said the total capacity of eight projects currently offline is 230 MW, while hydropower schemes with a combined capacity of 262 MW in the Seti‑Madi corridor and 190 MW in the Marsyangdi corridor have resumed operations.

The 144 MW Kaligandaki Hydropower Project, which had halted because of the floods, is expected to resume operations by this evening, the NEA added.

Power supply has been disrupted in areas including Manang, Baglung, Mustang, the Jhaputar substation area in Tanahun, and Pyuthan. Supply has already been restored in Myagdi, the Kutar substation area in Tanahun, Baglung and Eastern Rukum, and technical teams are working to reconnect the remaining affected areas by Tuesday.

Access to some damaged sites remains blocked, delaying detailed on-site inspections and a full assessment of losses, the NEA said.

The NEA estimates about 1,218 MW will be available from domestic generation. To balance supply and demand, it plans to import an additional 1,154 MW of electricity from India through various channels.

(With inputs from RSS)