Sanjen Hydropower Projects Remain Undamaged Despite Flood-Induced Power Evacuation Disruption

Sanjen Jalavidhyut Company Limited has confirmed that the structures of its Sanjen Hydropower Project and Upper Sanjen Hydropower Project have not suffered any damage from the massive flood that swept through the Bhotekoshi River corridor in Rasuwa. The company said a sudden and devastating flood entered Nepal through Rasuwagadhi from the Tibet region of China on Bhadra 10, 2083, causing extensive damage to several hydropower projects, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) transmission lines and substations in the area. As a result of the damage to the electricity infrastructure, power supply from the affected area has been completely disrupted. According to Sanjen Jalavidhyut Company, both the Sanjen and Upper Sanjen hydropower plants were forced to shut down because electricity generated by the projects could not be evacuated. The shutdown was caused by damage to the Trishuli 3B Hub and the Chilime–Trishuli 220 kV transmission line, rather than damage to the hydropower plants themselves. The company clarified that there has been no damage to the physical structures of either hydropower project due to the flood. The disruption in power evacuation has, however, prevented the two plants from transmitting electricity to the national grid, resulting in their temporary closure. The company said it issued the information to clarify the status of its projects amid the widespread damage caused by the flood in the Bhotekoshi River area.