Nepal starts exporting 38MW hydropower to Bangladesh via India

Nepal has officially started exporting 38 megawatts (MW) of hydropower to Bangladesh using Indian transmission lines, with the supply beginning at 12pm on Sunday.

Shamim Hasan, Director of Public Relations at the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), confirmed the development, stating, “We have been receiving an average of 38MW of hydropower from Nepal since noon today (Sunday).”

BPDB Member (Generation) Md Zahurul Islam also confirmed the commencement of the power import, saying that Nepal will supply electricity to Bangladesh until November.

“As per the agreement, Nepal will provide 38MW of electricity from 15 June to 15 November, aligning with our peak summer demand,” he said.

The electricity, including Indian transmission charges, will cost approximately Tk7 per kilowatt-hour (unit).

This export marks the beginning of a landmark energy collaboration among Nepal, India, and Bangladesh under a tripartite agreement signed on 3 October 2024 in Kathmandu by BPDB, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), and India’s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN).

The deal follows years of discussions aimed at importing clean hydropower from Nepal. A successful trial was conducted on 15 November 2023, when Nepal exported up to 38MW of electricity to Bangladesh for one day — a move widely hailed as a breakthrough in regional energy collaboration.

The current agreement covers only the summer months (June to November) when Nepal’s hydropower generation peaks due to monsoon-fed rivers and Bangladesh’s demand surges due to high temperatures.

Earlier, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan noted that all logistical and technical arrangements had been finalised to facilitate the import.

“We are set to receive electricity from Nepal during the summer, and the arrangement ensures clean and sustainable energy to help meet our growing demand,” he said.

Looking ahead, Bangladesh is exploring a reciprocal arrangement. Ministry sources say that Bangladesh may propose exporting electricity to Nepal during the winter months, when Nepal’s hydropower output drops due to reduced water flow from snow-covered rivers, and Bangladesh sees a seasonal drop in consumption.

“We plan to send a proposal to Nepal offering electricity exports in winter,” Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan said.

“We will formally invite Nepal’s energy minister to visit Dhaka to begin talks on this potential two-way energy cooperation,” he added.