Nepal Begins Exporting 400 Megawatts of Electricity Daily to India

Nepal has initiated a significant milestone in its energy sector by commencing the export of approximately 400 megawatts of electricity to India on a daily basis. This move by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) marks a pivotal moment in the country’s energy landscape, leveraging surplus electricity generated from hydropower plants.

The surge in electricity production, heralded by the onset of the monsoon season and the consequent rise in temperatures, has catalyzed increased snowmelt in the Himalayas. This phenomenon has been instrumental in augmenting Nepal’s power generation capacity, enabling the NEA to embark on this ambitious export endeavor.

Kul Man Ghising, the Managing Director of the NEA, affirmed the commencement of this initiative, stating, “Currently, Nepal is exporting around 400 megawatts of surplus electricity to India daily.” Ghising further elaborated on the NEA’s vision, aiming to escalate the export volume to a range of 1,000 to 1,200 megawatts throughout the year.

The NEA has facilitated this export by authorizing the utilization of 656 megawatts of electricity generated from 15 hydropower plants across Nepal. This strategic utilization of hydropower resources underscores Nepal’s commitment to leveraging its natural assets for economic prosperity and regional cooperation.

In a stark contrast, during the winter season, Nepal grappled with electricity shortages, necessitating the import of electricity worth Rs 15.21 billion to meet domestic demand. The transition from being a net importer to a net exporter of electricity reflects Nepal’s strides towards energy self-sufficiency and underscores its emerging role as a reliable energy partner in the region.