Bangladesh to begin receiving 40MW hydropower from Nepal today

Bangladesh is set to formally start importing electricity from Nepal today under a deal to receive 40 megawatts of hydropower over the next five months via India.

As per the agreement, the supply will run from 15 June to 15 November. The electricity will cost around Tk7 per unit, including Indian transmission charges.

Power, energy, and mineral resources adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said all the necessary preparations have been finalised to receive electricity from Nepal.

Ministry sources said Bangladesh is also exploring the possibility of exporting electricity to Nepal during the winter season, as heavy snowfall in rivers hampers Nepal's power generation at that time.

Given the reduced domestic consumption in winter, policymakers believe Bangladesh could export a similar amount of electricity to Nepal, which would help establish a balanced energy trade between the two countries.

"We will send a proposal to Nepal to import electricity from Bangladesh during winter," said Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan.

"To discuss the issue, we will send a letter to the power and energy minister of Nepal, inviting him to visit Bangladesh so that we can begin talks on possible electricity exports to the country," he added.

Earlier, on 3 October 2024, the Bangladesh Power Development Board, Nepal Electricity Authority, and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited of India signed a tripartite power sales agreement in Kathmandu to finalise the electricity import from Nepal via India.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, environmental adviser, was present at the signing ceremony.