Nepal – India agree to cooperate for strengthening power transmission system

The Nepal-India Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on Power Sector Cooperation meeting concluded in Chitwan district of central Nepal on Friday. During the meeting the two sides have agreed on strengthening the power transmission system between the two countries, according to a press release issued by Indian Embassy on Sunday. The meeting followed the signing of the Agreement on Long Term Power Trade between India and Nepal on January 4, 2024.

The 11th Energy Secretary Level meeting of the Joint Steering Committee was co-chaired by Gopal Prasad Sigdel, secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal and Pankaj Agrawal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, India, according to the press release. The meeting was preceded by the 11th meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Power Sector Cooperation held on January 3, which was co-chaired by Nabin Raj Singh, Joint Secretary, Energy Ministry, Nepal and Dr. D. Sai Baba, Ministry of Power, India.

THese meetings comprehensively reviewed the bilateral power sector cooperation between Nepal and India, including power trade and the implementation of hydropwer projects, and transmission lines . The progress made in various bilateral committees, including Joint Technical Team (JTT) was also discussed.

The modalities of cross border power tarae through 132 KV and below transmission lines were approved during themeeting. “THis assumes special significance as three new 132 KV lines, ie, second circuit of Raxaul- Parwanipur, second circuit of Kataiya – Kusaha and New Nautanwa- Mainhiya were inaugurated by FOreign Minister N.P. Saud and his Indian counterpart Jaishankar on January 4, 2024.”

These lines add around 200 MW transmission capacity enhancing the overall transmission capacity between Nepal and India to 1400 MW. “Further, the New Nautanwa- Mainhiya transmission lins is the first connection between Nepal and the state of Utter Pradesh of India.”

Achieving progress on the India- Nepal Joint Vision Statement on Power Sector Cooperation issued during the visit of Prime Minister of Nepal to India in April 2022, both sides agreed to hold the first meeting of the Joint Hydro Development Committee (JHDC) at the earliest.