Kathmandu, 15 June: The Government of Nepal has begun exporting 40 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh via the Indian transmission line this year.
According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Nepal first exported electricity to Bangladesh for 12 hours on Kartik 18 last year (November 4, 2023). This year, starting from 12:00 midnight on Asar 1 (June 15, 2025), the export of 40 megawatts of electricity has resumed.
A power trade agreement was signed on Asoj 17 last year (October 3, 2024) between the Nepal Electricity Authority, Bangladesh Power Development Board, and India’s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN). Following this agreement, Nepal exported electricity for about 12 hours on Kartik 30 (November 16, 2024), from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM, marking the final day of the previous season’s electricity export.
Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, stated that it is a matter of happiness for Nepal to be able to export surplus electricity during the monsoon season not only to neighboring India but also to Bangladesh. “Exporting electricity to Bangladesh is a positive development for the entire energy sector of the region and for Nepal’s prosperity,” he said.
Nepal has been exporting surplus electricity to India for five months every year during the rainy season. Although a power export agreement with Bangladesh was signed last year, Nepal was only able to export electricity for 12 hours at that time. This year, however, Nepal will export electricity to Bangladesh continuously for five months starting today.
Minister Khadka highlighted that the electricity sector is one of Nepal’s most promising avenues for boosting exports and reducing imports. Under last year’s agreement between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, Nepal is exporting 18.60 megawatts of electricity produced by the Trishuli Hydropower Plant and 21.40 megawatts from the Chilime Hydropower Project.
Starting today, Nepal has begun exporting electricity to Bangladesh, which will continue until November 15. According to Suvarna Sapkota, Deputy Manager of the Power System Operation Department at the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), 146.88 million units of electricity will be exported over the five-month period.
In return, the Government of Nepal will earn USD 9.4 million, equivalent to around NRs 1.29 billion. As per the agreement, the electricity is being sold at a rate of 6.40 US cents per unit. The exported electricity will be transmitted from Nepal’s 400 kV Dhalkebar substation, through Muzaffarpur and Behrampur in India, and reach Bheramara substation in Bangladesh.
This electricity export, which carries significant long-term importance for the energy sector, is expected to contribute to Nepal’s energy balance, maximize the utilization of its hydropower potential, and uplift the national economy. According to Nepal’s Energy Development Roadmap 2081 (2024 AD), the country aims to produce 28,500 megawatts of electricity and export 15,000 megawatts by 2035.
Continued Export to India
The NEA has also continued its electricity export to neighboring India. On June 1 (Jestha 18), the authority started exporting 185 MW to the Indian state of Haryana, which increased to 200 MW from Saturday. This export, under a bilateral agreement between Nepal and India, is sold at a rate of INR 5.25 per unit.
Additionally, from midnight today, NEA has started exporting 80 MW to the Indian state of Bihar. Moreover, electricity trading is also ongoing through the 400 kV and 132 kV Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur transmission lines.
With the onset of the monsoon season, electricity generation in Nepal has increased. After fulfilling domestic demand, the surplus is being exported to both India and Bangladesh.
