Nepal offers to import electricity from Bangladesh in winter

Nepal, one of the neighbouring countries, has offered to import electricity from Bangladesh in the winter season.

If both parties agree, a deal will be signed within a short time, confirmed Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

However, Bangladesh wants to import hydropower from Nepal in the summer. The Ministry of Power Division has confirmed that Nepal has made such a proposal during the negotiations regarding the import of that 40MW of hydropower from Nepal.

According to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), the electricity demand drops below 9,000MW in winter in Bangladesh.

Besides, due to the severe cold in winter, the electricity demand increases in Nepal but in winter, power generation is reduced due to water shortage in Nepal's hydropower stations.

BPDB Director (Public Relations) Shameem Hassan said, “During winter in the Himalayan country, Nepalese are using room heaters extensively to keep the houses warm. This increases the electricity demand and hydro power stations are facing water shortage to produce electricity. Therefore, Nepal has proposed to import surplus electricity from Bangladesh.”

According to a BPDB report, currently the country has total power generation capacity is around 26000 MW, but the power consumption is increasing during summer, it cannot be supplied as per the demand due to energy shortage.

For that, the government has taken the initiative to import 40 MW of hydropower from Nepal as well as India. For this, Indian transmission lines are to be used. The issue was pending for a long time as India did not agree upon the matter.

The electricity export to Bangladesh is delayed because the country is yet to finalize the trilateral agreement with India and tariff determination between Bangladesh and Nepal, Nepali news media Kathmandu Post reports. 

However, Nepal wants to start exporting electricity to Bangladesh through India's transmission infrastructure during the coming dry season.

The cabinet committee will have to decide on the two important issues of the tripartite agreement and the pending tariff rate. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal is the head of this committee.

The Finance Minister recently said in this regard, “Nepal’s electricity import is under discussion, let it be finalized first. If Nepal wants to buy Bangladesh's surplus electricity during winter, we can consider told AHM Mustafa Kamal.”

Sources said the BPDB electricity authority of Nepal and the Indian relevant authority reached an understanding on electricity prices and transmission fees last May.

The transmission charges and service fees have to be paid to India. The transmission charges will be equivalent to what the electricity authorities of India currently charge to their consumers.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told the journalists recently Nepal expressed interest in buying electricity from Bangladesh in winter to meet their power crisis.