Nepal, India Finalize Modality for Cross-Border Transmission Line

Nepal and India have reached an agreement on the modalities for constructing cross-border transmission lines, paving the way for large-scale electricity trade between the two nations.

During a secretarial-level meeting held in New Delhi on February 11, officials from both countries finalized the framework for the transmission line, which is crucial for Nepal’s plan to export 15,000 megawatts of electricity to India and Bangladesh by 2035.

Nepal’s Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya and India’s Electricity Secretary Pankaj Agarwal signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the agreement. This marks a key step forward in the construction process of the transmission infrastructure.

The development follows discussions held in November 2024 between Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, and Indian authorities regarding a power trade agreement. The deal aims to facilitate the export of 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to India within the next decade.

Additionally, the 12th meeting of the Joint Steering Committee on January 22 had set the groundwork for accelerating the construction of cross-border transmission lines and strengthening power trade between the two neighbors.

With this agreement, both countries are now set to move ahead with the construction and implementation of the much-needed transmission infrastructure.