KATHMANDU, Nov 27: Nepal and Bangladesh have reached an agreement for the export of an additional 20 megawatts of electricity, adding to the 40 megawatts currently being supplied.
The agreement was finalized during the seventh meeting of the Nepal–Bangladesh Joint Steering Committee at the energy secretary level, held Thursday in Dhaka. Nepal’s delegation was led by Energy Secretary Chiranjivi Chataut, while Bangladesh’s delegation was headed by Energy Secretary Farzana Momtaz.
In the meeting, Bangladesh agreed to advance the investment process for the Sunkoshi-3 Hydropower Project by forming an expert committee to assess the project and expedite the finalization of the Joint Venture Agreement.
Nepal signs historic agreement to export energy to Bangladesh
Both sides also agreed to study possible electricity export routes through India’s transmission network including lines connecting Barapukuria, Panchagarh/Thakurgaon, Bheramara and Comilla.
The two countries further committed to completing internal procedures for signing an MoU on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Under the draft arrangement, Bangladesh will provide Nepal with technical support in areas such as energy auditing, EV charging and rooftop solar systems.
Nepal and Bangladesh also agreed to begin a capacity-building program, with the first phase for Bangladeshi officials to be held in Kathmandu and the second phase for Nepali officials to be conducted in Bangladesh.
According to Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, both countries will jointly work to secure India’s approval for a trilateral cooperation framework among Nepal, India and Bangladesh in the energy sector.
