Kathmandu – Nepal and India have reached an agreement to facilitate international electricity trade by constructing high-capacity transmission lines between the two countries. According to spokesperson Sandip Kumar Dev from the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, there is a plan to complete the construction of two new transmission lines and increase the capacity of an existing transmission line by the fiscal year 2034-35.
The Nepal-India Joint Secretary-level Steering Committee meeting has decided to construct transmission lines in the Rupaidiha-Haraiya-Motihari (400 kV) and Kohalpur-Lucknow (400 kV) regions. Additionally, it has been agreed to replace high-capacity conductors in the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur (400 kV) transmission line, allowing for the import and export of up to one thousand megawatts of electricity.
Previously, agreements had been made to construct transmission lines in the Inaruwa-Purnia and Dodhara-Bareli (400 kV) regions. Construction is also underway for the New Butwal-Gorakhpur (400 kV) transmission line. The government aims to generate a total of 28,500 megawatts of electricity in the long term, with plans to export 10,000 megawatts to India, 5,000 megawatts to Bangladesh, and utilize 13,000 megawatts for domestic consumption.
The energy secretary-level meeting took place on Magh 29 in New Delhi, India. Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya from Nepal and Power Secretary Pankaj Agrawal from India co-chaired the meeting.
Opinion from Ramesh Khatri, representative of Kansai Nepal News:
“The agreement between Nepal and India to enhance electricity trade through the construction of high-capacity transmission lines is a significant step towards strengthening energy cooperation between the two countries. This initiative not only promotes mutual benefit but also lays the foundation for a more reliable and sustainable energy network in the region.”
—
Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: February 16, 2025 3:02 am
