New delhi: Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Kulman Ghising, currently in New Delhi, India, for the 8th General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance, convened a meeting with India’s Power Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar. The central focus of their discussion was the cooperation in energy between Nepal and India, power trade, and the progress of Nepal’s power projects funded by India.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the meeting culminated in the signing of a joint venture and shareholder agreement for the construction of two cross-border transmission lines. The Ministry of Energy disclosed that these 400 kV transmission lines will connect Inaruwa-Purnia and Lamki-Dodhara-Bareli. The agreement was formalized by NEA Deputy Executive Director Subhash Kumar Mishra and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited’s Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Kumar Gupta, with both ministers present.
Minister Ghising regarded the agreement as a crucial development for power trade at both bilateral and regional levels. He emphasized that this would facilitate Nepal’s entry into the international energy market, attracting investment in Nepal’s hydropower sector. He further encouraged India to continue its investment in this sector.
Minister Khattar noted that the completion of the transmission lines would streamline electricity exchange between the two nations. He highlighted the enhancement of regional energy security and the potential contribution to economic growth resulting from a more robust grid.
Previously, the Cabinet had sanctioned the establishment of two joint companies, one in each country, to undertake the transmission lines’ construction, involving investments from both NEA and Power Grid Corporation of India. The Cabinet also approved equity investments in these companies.