India has renewed its approval allowing Nepal to import 654 megawatts of electricity at competitive rates through the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). The approval was renewed by India’s Central Electricity Authority under the Ministry of Power, permitting round-the-clock (RTC) electricity imports through the day-ahead and real-time markets.

The earlier approval was set to expire on Wednesday. Under the renewed arrangement, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is allowed to import 600 MW of electricity through the 400 kV Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur transmission line and an additional 54 MW through the Tanakpur–Mahendranagar line, totaling 654 MW under the RTC mode. The approval is valid from January 1 to March 31, 2026, while renewal for the period from April 1 to August 31, 2026, will be processed later, according to the NEA.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development Kulman Ghising had on Tuesday contacted officials at India’s power ministry, requesting the renewal of permission to import electricity under the RTC arrangement.

He said the renewed approval would help manage electricity demand and supply during the winter season, when domestic generation remains limited.