KATHMANDU, Sept 15: A meeting of the energy secretary-level Joint Steering Committee of Nepal and Bangladesh has agreed upon carrying out cross-border electricity trade using Indian transmission lines.
A virtual meeting between Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Devendra Kaki, and Secretary at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh, Mohammad Habibur Rahman, on Tuesday agreed to trade electricity using Indian transmission lines for the time being.
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Energy Ministry Spokesperson Madhu Prasad Bhetuwal said both sides agreed on short-term power trade using Indian transmission lines for a short period.
“We have assigned Nepal Electricity Authority and Bangladesh Power Development Board for short-term power trade,” he said. “Both bodies will move forward with the process by setting the necessary procedures and criteria.” Bhetuwal said that Nepal was in a position to export 200 MW of electricity during monsoon.
Joint Secretary Bhetuwal said that the two sides had decided to move ahead with the construction of Nepal-Bangladesh Dedicated Transmission Line with the participation and consent of India as a long-term measure. The consent of India is mandatory as the construction of a transmission line between Nepal and Bangladesh would also involve Indian territory.
The meeting also agreed on trade between Nepal and Bangladesh and Bangladesh's public and private investment in Nepal's hydropower development.
