Er.energyNP@Gmail.com

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, has stated that the Nepal–India Energy Secretary-Level Meeting held in Pokhara achieved significant progress toward expanding Nepal's electricity market and increasing power exports. He noted that the meeting marked another important milestone toward Nepal's long-term goal of exporting 10,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to India.

The 13th Meeting of the Nepal–India Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on Energy Secretaries made far-reaching decisions regarding electricity trade and the expansion of cross-border transmission infrastructure. These decisions are expected to further strengthen energy cooperation between the two countries. The meeting agreed to increase Nepal's electricity export capacity to India, accelerate the construction of new cross-border transmission lines, and develop the infrastructure required for long-term electricity trade.

Minister Shrestha expressed confidence that a more favorable environment has now been created for expanding Nepal's clean energy exports to the Indian market. He said this would significantly help reduce Nepal's trade deficit, increase foreign exchange earnings, and strengthen the national economy. Prior to the JSC meeting, Minister Shrestha held courtesy meetings with India's Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal and Additional Foreign Secretary Munu Mahawar. During the discussions, he emphasized the need to make Nepal–India energy cooperation more result-oriented. He also noted that expanding Nepal's electricity market would encourage greater Indian investment in Nepal's hydropower sector and urged India to facilitate increased electricity exports from Nepal.

The minister further stressed that, alongside electricity generation, both countries should work jointly to develop transmission infrastructure and expand electricity markets. He also highlighted that Nepal's water resources are not merely a source of energy production but are closely linked to human civilization, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

The meeting, co-chaired by Nepal's Energy Secretary Sarita Dawadi and India's Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal, agreed to expand the electricity import and export limits between the two countries.

According to the Ministry, the capacity of electricity trade through the existing Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur 400 kV cross-border transmission line will be increased from the current 1,000 MW to 1,400 MW for imports and 1,650 MW for exports. This decision was based on a study conducted by the joint technical team of both countries and the recommendations of the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held a day earlier.

The meeting also approved the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for several cross-border transmission lines to strengthen long-term Nepal–India energy trade and agreed to move forward with their construction. The DPR for the Chameliya–Dhauliganga 220 kV double-circuit transmission line, to be built in Nepal's Far Western region, was approved, with a target to complete construction by December 2028.

Similarly, the meeting decided to accelerate the establishment of a joint company by implementing the shareholder and joint venture agreements previously signed between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and India's Power Grid Corporation for the construction of the Inaruwa–New Purnea and Dododhara (New Lamki)–Bareilly 400 kV transmission lines. Important decisions were also taken to build the additional transmission infrastructure needed to support larger-scale electricity exports from Nepal by 2034–35.

The meeting approved the DPR for the Motihari–Nijgadh 400 kV double-circuit transmission line and also endorsed a proposal to increase the transmission capacity of the Muzaffarpur–Dhalkebar transmission line by installing higher-capacity conductors. It was further agreed to conduct additional technical studies on the feasibility of the Lucknow–Kohalpur–Lamahi 400 kV transmission line and reach a conclusion at the earliest.

The Nepal-side construction of the under-construction New Butwal–Gorakhpur 400 kV cross-border transmission line is targeted for completion by August 2026. However, since the 400 kV substation at New Butwal will not be completed until December 2027, both sides reached a technical agreement to operate the transmission line temporarily at 220 kV until the substation is ready.

Under this interim arrangement, Nepal will be able to import up to 130 MW and export up to 200 MW of electricity immediately.

The Joint Steering Committee (JSC) and the Joint Working Group (JWG), established under the Nepal–India Power Trade Agreement, have been facilitating electricity trade, transmission infrastructure development, and broader energy cooperation between the two countries.