Kathmandu, Sept. 15: The energy sector has suffered damage and economic losses estimated at Rs. 151.04 billion (approximately USD 997.13 million) following the Bhotekoshi floods, accounting for nearly 37 per cent of the total damage and losses caused by the disaster, according to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) report.
The report estimates physical damage to energy infrastructure at Rs. 134.69 billion (USD 889.21 million), while economic losses amount to a further Rs. 16.34 billion (USD 107.91 million).
The RDNA report estimated that the Bhotekoshi floods of August 26 caused total damage and losses worth more than Rs. 408.28 billion across various sectors. It has further projected that Rs. 723.31 billion would be required for reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The RDNA was undertaken under the leadership of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), in collaboration with the National Planning Commission (NPC), federal ministries, provincial and local governments, security agencies and technical institutions.
Under the energy sector, the assessment covers hydropower and solar projects, transmission and distribution infrastructure, a substation, switchyard and other electricity network assets.
Hydropower projects alone account for Rs. 119.95 billion, or 89.1 per cent, of the total physical damage in the energy sector. The remaining damage concerns solar plants and the infrastructure needed to transmit, switch, and distribute electricity.
Solar plants suffered damage estimated at Rs. 4.73 billion, while transmission lines sustained Rs. 3.47 billion, substations Rs. 3.37 billion, distribution lines Rs. 1.62 billion and switchyards Rs. 1.55 billion in damage.
According to the report, 13 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 759.025 MW were affected. Of these, seven projects with a combined capacity of 250.4 MW were already in operation, while six projects totalling 508.625 MW were under construction.
The hydropower projects, including 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1; 111 MW Rasuwagadhi; 120 MW Rasuwa Bhotekoshi; 78 MW Sanjen Khola; 6.42 MW Upper Mailung A; 5 MW Mailung Khola; 20 MW Langtang Khola and 22 MW Chilime hydropower project, have been affected by the floods.
The 24 MW Trishuli Hydropower Project; 14.1 MW Devighat Hydropower Project; 60 MW Upper Trishuli-3A; 37 MW Upper Trishuli-3B and 15.6 MW Middle Trishuli Ganga have also been affected by the flood.
This means about 67 per cent of the affected hydropower capacity was still under construction, highlighting that the disaster has not only disrupted existing electricity generation but may also delay the addition of future generation capacity.
The Trishuli 220 kV 3B Hub Substation has been completely damaged, while several transmission lines and towers operating at 132 kV, 66 kV and 220 kV have also sustained damage.
