POKHARA: Aiming to further strengthen energy cooperation between Nepal and India, the 17th meeting of the joint technical team held in Pokhara on November 3-4, reached a seven-point agreement on electricity exchange and transmission network expansion.

The meeting was co-chaired by Sandeep Kumar Dev, Joint Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, and Bhagwan Sahay Bairwa, Chief Engineer at India’s Central Electricity Authority, with participation from technical team members of both countries.

The discussions focused on electricity exchange, strengthening the transmission system, and constructing new cross-border transmission lines.

Both countries submitted their detailed project reports (DPRs) for the Chamelia–Jauljibi 220 kV transmission line, and agreed that a joint DPR will be prepared by November 2025, with the project scheduled for completion by December 2027.

The new Butwal–Gorakhpur 400 kV line will temporarily operate at 220 kV, with a follow-up meeting planned within 15 days with the Uttar Pradesh Transmission Company to finalize electricity exchange capacity.

After reassessing electricity exchange capacity via the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur and Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi lines, Nepal will have the ability to export up to 1,500 MW and import up to 1,400 MW.

Nepal will also provide technical details within one month for the Nijgadh–Motihari 400 kV line, after which the joint team will prepare a combined DPR.

For the Lamahi–Lucknow 400 kV line, a final joint study will determine whether the Nepal termination point will be Lamahi or Kohalpur, followed by DPR preparation.

The reconstruction of the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur 400 kV line will adopt HTLS (High-Temperature Low-Sag) technology to withstand high temperatures.

Additionally, a joint study will be conducted to replace conductors with HTLS conductors to increase the capacity of the Raxaul–Parwanipur and Ramnagar–Gandak 132 kV lines.

Both sides expressed their commitment to continuing cooperation in mutual assistance, strengthening the energy network, and expanding electricity trade.