KATHMANDU: The floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa have affected approximately 10 percent of the country’s total electricity generation capacity.
Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha said that significant damage to power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure has created the possibility of an imbalance in electricity supply. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is therefore giving high priority to managing electricity demand and supply.
According to Minister Shrestha, the NEA has so far managed to keep the electricity system balanced. However, given the extensive damage caused by the floods, further challenges may arise in the coming days, and preparations and management efforts have been intensified.
According to preliminary details, 12 power plants with a combined capacity of 431.1 MW have been shut down and taken out of the national electricity system due to the floods. In addition, 15 hydropower projects under construction, with a combined capacity of 470 MW, have sustained damage.
On the transmission side, the Trishuli 220 kV 3B Hub Substation has been completely damaged. Several 132 kV, 66 kV and 220 kV transmission lines and towers have also been affected.
Electricity supply has been completely disrupted in Rasuwa, while services have been partially affected in various areas of Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha.
Minister Shrestha said preliminary information indicates that more than 196 employees and workers involved in various electricity projects and infrastructure remain unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
More than 15 vehicles belonging to the Nepal Electricity Authority have been deployed to the affected areas for rescue operations and restoration of electricity services. Additional rescue and technical teams have also been mobilised.
Efforts are underway, in coordination with local authorities, security agencies and relevant organisations, to restore electricity through alternative arrangements, repair and rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, and search for and rescue missing employees and workers.
Minister Shrestha said the government is currently giving the highest priority to human safety, search and rescue operations, and the restoration of essential electricity services. Detailed damage assessments and technical evaluations are also being carried out.
“So far, we have succeeded in keeping the electricity system balanced. However, the scale of the damage could create further challenges in the coming days, so necessary preparations and management have been given high priority,” Minister Shrestha said.
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