Nepal Powers Regional Ties with First Electricity Export to Bangladesh via India – EQ
In Short : Nepal has started exporting 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through India’s power grid, marking its first power trade with Bangladesh. This follows a tripartite agreement between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Simultaneously, Nepal is supplying 80 MW to Bihar. The move boosts regional energy cooperation and positions India as a key hub for cross-border electricity trade.
In Detail : Nepal has initiated its first electricity export to Bangladesh, marking a historic step in regional energy cooperation. The country is supplying 40 MW of power to Bangladesh through India’s transmission network, showcasing the growing integration of South Asia’s power systems.
The electricity trade is being facilitated under a tripartite agreement signed in October 2024 among Nepal Electricity Authority, Bangladesh Power Development Board, and India’s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam. This agreement laid the foundation for cross-border energy transactions involving all three countries.
Alongside the export to Bangladesh, Nepal is also supplying 80 MW of electricity to the Indian state of Bihar. This demonstrates Nepal’s growing capacity to become a regional energy exporter, leveraging its abundant hydropower resources.
Nepal currently generates over 3,000 MW of electricity, with more than 95% coming from hydropower. The country aims to boost revenues and economic development through energy exports, while also contributing to regional energy stability and sustainability.
To support this initiative, Nepal and India have been enhancing their cross-border transmission infrastructure. An agreement between Power Grid Corporation of India and Nepal Electricity Authority in April focused on strengthening connectivity to facilitate more such trades in the future.
This development not only benefits Nepal economically but also improves energy security for both Bangladesh and India. It reinforces India’s role as a central hub in South Asia’s emerging power trade network, promoting deeper energy ties among neighboring countries.
