Indian foreign ministry says Nepal can export energy to India and Bangladesh

Kathmandu: Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringala has said that the electricity generated by Nepal can be exported to India and Bangladesh.

Addressing an event organized by the Indian Think Tank Research and Information System for Developing Countries in New Delhi, he said Nepal could export more than 700 MW of electricity from India in the near future.

He said, “The construction work of the highest capacity cross-border transmission line from Dhalkebar to Muzaffarpur has just been completed. There are plans to build more transmission lines.

He also mentioned that Arun III, Lower Arun and Upper Karnali power projects are under construction. He further said, “Upper Karnali has been promoted as an export hub and its electricity will be supplied to India and Bangladesh.”

Indian Foreign Secretary Shringala also said that he was doing homework to make Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and India an ‘energy hub’.

“India wants to lead a regional approach to energy needs in areas such as conventional resources, hydropower, solar and other petroleum products,” he said.

He also said that India is the natural hub of any energy initiative as the largest producer and consumer of energy. Shringala said plans prepared by SAARC and WIMSTEC for energy cooperation would also be implemented.