India and Nepal to hold power transmission talks

• a month ago (2025-02-12)
• David Flin

Asia 929 Transmission 204

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The energy secretaries of Nepal and India are meeting in New Delhi, India to discuss the construction of five cross-border transmission lines capable of carrying at least 16 GW by 2035.

The meeting will focus on ensuring smooth energy exports to India and Bangladesh. In addition, the power exchange committee will meet to discuss energy trade and pricing mechanisms between Nepal and India.

The five cross-border projects under consideration include a 400 kV Inaruwa (Duhabi)-Purnia (Bihar), due for completion in 2027-28, and the Dodhara (Lamki)-Bareli (Uttar Pradesh), due for completion in 2028-29, transmission lines. The other three transmission lines – the 400 kV Nijgadh (Bara)-Motihari (Bihar) line, the Kohalpur-Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) line, and the 220 kV double-circuit Chameliya-Jauljibi line – are scheduled to be operational by 2035.

Sandip Dev, Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, said that both sides have already agreed on investment modalities. He said: “With India committing to purchase up to 10 GW of power from Nepal over the next decade under a long-term trade agreement, the need for high-capacity transmission lines has become increasingly pressing.”