Kathmandu — Nepal has commenced regular commercial electricity exports to Bangladesh, marking its first consistent power supply beyond neighboring India. On Sunday, Nepal started transmitting 40 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh through India, under a five-year agreement.
Rajan Dhakal, spokesperson for Nepal Electricity Authority, confirmed that Nepal will continue supplying electricity to Bangladesh during the monsoon season, from mid-June to mid-November. This follows a tripartite power export deal signed in October between Nepal, the Bangladesh Power Development Board, and India’s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, which facilitates transmission access. The transmission line had briefly opened for a one-day test in November.
Nepal’s Energy Minister Dipak Khadka described this milestone as the beginning of Nepal’s journey as a regional energy exporter, highlighting the country’s surplus power capacity and commitment to regional energy security.
Historically, Nepal struggled with widespread electricity access, but extensive dam-building has connected nearly all of its 30 million citizens to the grid. The nation now boasts an installed capacity exceeding 3,500 MW, with surplus power during the rainy season.
Nepal began smaller-scale electricity exports to India in late 2021. The expansion to Bangladesh comes as Bangladesh faces energy insecurity and frequent power outages due to its fossil fuel-dependent grid.
Estimates suggest Nepal’s hydropower potential could reach 72,000 MW—about 20 times its current capacity—though environmental concerns have been raised regarding rapid hydro development and compliance with safeguards.
