Nepal Exports Electricity Worth Rs 12.72 Billion to India in First Quarter

In the first quarter of the current fiscal year, Nepal exported electricity worth Rs 12.72 billion to India, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). A total of 1.667 billion units of surplus electricity, primarily generated during the rainy season, was sold at a rate of Rs 7.63 per unit.

The NEA supplied power to the Indian states of Haryana and Bihar through the Day Ahead and Real-Time Market of the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). The exports are part of a bilateral mid-term electricity sale agreement, which allows competitive energy trading between the two nations.

Additionally, Nepal has initiated power exports to Bangladesh using India’s infrastructure, marking a significant step in regional energy cooperation.

However, electricity exports have been hampered due to damage caused by floods and landslides during heavy rains on September 27-28. These disasters severely impacted hydropower plants and transmission infrastructure. The 456-megawatt Upper Tamakoshi hydropower plant, Nepal’s largest, remains out of operation after being struck by landslides.

Smaller projects have also suffered damages, and the Kabeli Corridor Transmission Line was rendered non-functional after being hit by floods from the Mai River, cutting off about 200 megawatts of electricity.

NEA Managing Director Kulman Ghising noted that the interruptions have impacted export revenues and could hinder the government’s target of generating Rs 30 billion from electricity exports in the current fiscal year. Despite the setbacks, Nepal’s growing role in regional electricity trade remains a positive development for the energy sector.