KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 15

Nepal marked a significant milestone in regional energy collaboration as Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, alongside Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs of India, Manohar Lal, and Md. Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to Bangladesh's Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, jointly inaugurated the first-ever power transmission from Nepal to Bangladesh.

The virtual event, was hosted by Nepal's Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation today.

This historic occasion marks the first trilateral power transaction which has been carried out through the Indian grid, according to the press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of Indian government.

'The Government of India had announced its decision to facilitate the first trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, through Indian grid with an export of upto 40 MW of power during the visit of the former Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to India from 31 May to 3 June 2023 . During the visit, both sides had expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased inter-linkages between the economies for mutual benefit of all stakeholders.'

On October 3, 2024, a tripartite power sales agreement was signed in Kathmandu by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Nepal Electricity Authority, and Bangladesh Power Development Board, paving the way for this landmark power transaction.

The start of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh through India is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector, the release further states.