KATHMANDU: Joint Venture (JV) Agreements for new cross-border transmission lines were signed yesterday between the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), in the presence of Kulman Ghising, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, and his Indian counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar.

The agreements envisage the development of the Inaruwa (Nepal) – New Purnea (India) and Dododhara (Nepal) – Bareilly (India) 400 kV transmission lines.

These projects will complement the under-construction 400 kV Gorakhpur (India) – New Butwal (Nepal) transmission line, which is progressing well.

Together, the new and ongoing projects are expected to add approximately 6,000 MW of additional transmission capacity between India and Nepal.

Currently, Nepal exports up to 1,125 MW of hydropower to India via the 400 kV Muzaffarpur–Dhalkebar and other transmission lines, generating Rs 17.56 billion in revenue for the fiscal year 2024–2025.

Since November 2024, NEA has also started exporting up to 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through the Indian grid.

These new transmission lines are expected to play a key role in achieving Nepal’s ambitious goal of exporting 10,000 MW of power to India within ten years, as outlined in the Agreement for Long Term Power Trade signed in

January 2024, fostering mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.