Kathmandu: Nepal and India engaged in crucial discussions, resulting in an agreement on various energy sector topics during the 11th meeting of the Nepal-India Energy Secretary-level Joint Steering Committee. The meeting, held in Chitwan, focused on strengthening the electricity transmission system and covered eight diverse areas in the energy sector.

Nabin Raj Singh, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, reported that discussions revolved around the agendas prepared by the Joint-secretary level Joint Taskforce. The meeting, co-chaired by Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (Nepal), Gopal Prasad Sigdel, and Secretary at India's Ministry of Energy, Pankaj Agrawal, concluded with agreements primarily addressing technical aspects.

Key agreements include expanding the capacity of the Dhalkebar-Mujaffarpur Inter-country Transmission Line to 1,000 megawatts, with infrastructure enhancements at Dhalkebar sub-station. Currently, the transmission line facilitates the export and import of 800 megawatts, and the Joint Technical Committee will explore utilizing its maximum capacity. Additionally, discussions covered determining the capacity of the Dhalkebar-Sitamadhi 400-kV transmission line, constructed by Satluj Vidhyut Nigam for the Arun III Hydropower Project.

The meeting also addressed the feasibility of exporting up to 200 megawatts through the 132 kV Tanakpur Mahendranagar transmission line or other high-voltage capacity lines. Agreements were reached on the process and procedure for electricity export and import during the monsoon, utilizing existing transmission lines of 132 kV capacity or less, leveraging the power transmission systems of neighboring Indian states.

Looking ahead, responsibilities for the construction of additional higher-capacity transmission lines, including the 400-kV Yanrupa-Purnia and New Lamki (Dododhara)-Bareily lines, were assigned to the Joint Working Group. The aim is to finalize the modality for these transmission lines by 2028.

Finally, discussions addressed a tripartite agreement among Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), NTPC Vidhyut Vyapar Nigam of India, and Power Development Board of Bangladesh. This agreement, following India's Power Import and Export Guidelines, aims to facilitate the export of 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through India's transmission system.

These agreements mark significant progress in Nepal-India energy cooperation and align with recent developments during the visit of India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, to Nepal on January 4 and 5. Notably, the Agreement Between the Government of Nepal and the Government of India on Long-Term Power Trade was signed during this visit, allowing for the export of 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal to India over the next decade. The inauguration of 132 kV cross-border transmission lines further underscored the collaborative efforts in the energy sector.