Nepal is set to export 60 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh daily from next month. Currently, Bangladesh has been importing 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal through the Indian grid. It has been agreed to provide regular access to 60 megawatts by adding 20 megawatts to this after completing the necessary procedures.

The seventh meeting of the Nepal–Bangladesh Joint Steering Committee at the secretary level, held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, reached this agreement. The meeting, co-chaired by Nepal’s Secretary of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Chiranjivi Chataut and Bangladesh’s Secretary of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Farzana Momtaj, concluded several important agreements related to energy trade between the two countries.

Discussing the recommendations of the joint task force meeting held on November 26, the committee decided to move forward with preparations for Bangladesh to import 60 megawatts of hydroelectricity from Nepal daily starting from May/June 2026.

Both countries have expressed a joint commitment to move forward with the Sunkoshi-3 Hydropower Project. Bangladesh has stated that it will form an expert committee to evaluate the project and begin the process of finalizing a joint investment agreement soon.

Both countries have agreed to conduct a joint study on the possibility of exporting electricity through the Indian grid using transmission lines reaching Barapukuria, Panchagarh/Thakurgaon, Bheramara, and Comilla in Bangladesh. This is expected to open new opportunities for long-term electricity trade.

Both parties have stated that they will complete their internal procedures and sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on renewable energy and energy efficiency soon. Under the agreement, Bangladesh will provide technical assistance to Nepal in areas such as energy testing, EV charging, and rooftop solar.

The meeting also agreed to launch a capacity-building program between Nepal and Bangladesh. The first phase of the training will be conducted in Kathmandu for Bangladeshi experts, while the second phase will be held in Bangladesh for the Nepali participants.

Both countries reiterated their commitment to take joint initiatives to obtain India’s consent regarding trilateral energy cooperation between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.

Joint Secretary and spokesperson Sandeep Kumardev informed that the meeting concluded in a cordial atmosphere. The meeting clearly demonstrated both countries’ commitment to making energy exchange, transmission infrastructure development, and long-term energy cooperation more in-depth and result-oriented.

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