Nepal's Hydropower Sector Faces Devastation from Natural Disasters
Summary
Nepal’s hydropower sector has suffered massive losses from repeated floods, landslides and avalanches, with the latest Bhote Koshi-Trishuli disaster destroying projects worth tens of billions of rupees. Government estimates put the overall damage and recovery needs at hundreds of billions, while power generation and transmission infrastructure remain severely disrupted.
Key Points
- The Bhote Koshi-Trishuli flood on August 10 caused major damage to Nepal’s hydropower, solar, transmission and road infrastructure, with 13 hydropower projects and a 25 MW solar plant disconnected from the grid.
- Government estimates place energy-sector damage at 134.69 billion rupees, with reconstruction costs for the sector projected at 396.023 billion rupees.
- Nepal Electricity Authority says its own and subsidiary projects have suffered losses of 74.23 billion rupees, including severe damage to operating plants and distribution systems.
- The article says repeated floods and landslides over the past three years have damaged 46 hydropower projects across Nepal, highlighting growing climate-related risks to the sector.
