Nepal, India sign JV to build two 400 kV cross‑border transmission lines

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kul Man Ghising, who is presently in New Delhi to attend the eighth General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance, held a meeting with India’s Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed Nepal‑India energy cooperation, power trade, expansion of transmission lines, progress on Nepal’s under‑construction power projects funded by India, and the long‑term power partnership between the two countries, according to the minister’s secretariat.

Meanwhile, Nepal and India signed a joint venture and shareholder agreement for the construction of two cross‑border transmission lines. The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI) said the agreement aims to construct 400 kV cross‑border transmission lines connecting Inaruwa–Purnia and Lamki–Dodhara–Bareilly.

Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Deputy Executive Director Subhash Kumar Mishra and Power Grid Corporation of India Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Kumar Gupta signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations in the presence of the two ministers.

On the occasion, Minister Ghising described the agreement as a significant achievement for bilateral and regional power trade. He said it will help Nepal gain access to the international energy market and attract domestic and foreign investment in Nepal’s hydropower development and expansion sectors, and he urged India to further invest in the sector.

Minister Khattar said once the two additional cross‑border transmission lines are completed, the electricity exchange process between Nepal and India will become smoother. He added that the lines would enhance regional energy security through a stronger grid and contribute to the economic growth of both countries.

Earlier, on October 16, the Cabinet approved granting authority to establish two joint companies, one in Nepal and another in India, for the construction of the transmission lines with investment from both NEA and Power Grid Corporation of India. The Cabinet also approved making equity investments in these companies.

By RSS