Kathmandu, December 16

Following the issuance of the Guidelines on Cross-Border Trade of Electricity by the Indian government on December 5, the Ministry of Power, India has designated Member (Power System), Central Electricity Authority (CEA) as the designated authority for facilitating the process of approval and laying down procedures for cross-border transaction and trade in electricity.

According to a media release issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, the designated authority will accord approval for participating entity(ies) for cross-border trade between India and the neighbouring country and/or through Indian power exchanges.

The authority will carry out functions including coordinating with the respective nodal agency of the neighbouring countries on cross-border trade of electricity. It would also look into planning, monitoring, coordinating and commissioning of cross-border transmission lines for cross-border transaction in consultation with CEA and Central Transmission Utility (CTU).

“The designated authority will look into the grid security, safety and operations with respect to cross-border trade of electricity in consultation with CEA, POSOCO and CTU along with examining and certifying surplus capacity of electricity in India for the purpose of cross-border trade of electricity for export by coal-based Indian thermal power projects other than public sector undertakings (PSUs) projects.”

The responsibility of the authority also includes notifying the quantum of electricity from time to time that can be traded under cross-border trade for electricity through Indian power exchanges and any other function as may be prescribed by the Ministry of Power.