Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 14: The Indian government on Monday approved the export of electricity to Nepal for 18 hours a day until December 31, 2026, following severe damage to the neighbouring country's hydropower infrastructure caused by recent floods.

The electricity will be supplied to the Nepal Electricity Authority from September 13 to December 31, the Union Power Ministry said.

Under the approval, India can export up to 600 MW through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV double-circuit transmission line and up to 54 MW through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV single-circuit line. The power supply will be available from midnight to 6 pm every day.

The ministry said the quantum of power to be exported from January 2027 will be reviewed in December.

The decision follows recent floods that caused significant damage to hydropower infrastructure in Nepal, reducing domestic electricity generation capacity and creating an additional requirement for power.

The ministry said the approval would help Nepal meet its electricity requirements during the difficult period and further strengthen the longstanding energy cooperation between the two countries.
“India remains committed to supporting Nepal and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector,” the Power Ministry said in a statement.

Around 550 MW of power generation capacity is estimated to have been damaged in Nepal, according to a report. The country's electricity exports to India have also fallen by around 400 MW following the damage to its generation capacity.

More than 12 hydropower plants were reportedly swept away in the floods. The floods hit Bagmati province, Nepal's main hydropower-producing region, with around 900 power station workers reported missing.

The development comes at a time when India itself is witnessing high electricity demand. Peak power demand met in the country remained above 260 GW in September and touched 269 GW on September 10.