Nepal, Bangladesh, and India Finalize Tripartite Power Trade Deal to Export Hydro Power

A pivotal development has occurred with the establishment of a tripartite power trade agreement between Nepal, Bangladesh, and India, which enables the export of hydroelectricity from Nepal to Bangladesh via Indian infrastructure. This landmark deal allows Nepal to supply 40 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh during the monsoon season, representing a significant step forward in regional energy cooperation.

The agreement was officially signed in Kathmandu on Thursday by Kulman Ghising, Executive Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Chairperson of Bangladesh's Power Development Board, and Renu Narang, Chief Executive Officer of India's NVVN, the designated nodal agency. The signing ceremony was witnessed by distinguished officials, including Nepal's Energy Minister Dipak Khadka and Bangladesh's Minister for Forest, Environment, Climate Change, and Water Resources, Syeda Rizwana Hasan.

Originally scheduled for July 28, the signing was postponed due to protests in Bangladesh concerning employment quotas, resulting in significant political shifts. With the agreement now in effect, the NEA is poised to commence power exports in the coming days, utilizing the 400 KV cross-border transmission line connecting Nepal and India. Power will be sourced from the Trishuli and Chilime Hydropower Projects, with an expected total export of 144,000 megawatt-hours over a five-month period. The electricity will be priced at Rs 9.30 per unit, bolstering Nepal's role in the regional energy landscape and enhancing energy security for Bangladesh.