The Ministry of Power has sanctioned the export of up to 654 MW of electricity to Nepal. This assistance will be provided from September 13 to December 31, as Nepal faces severe power shortages. The crisis follows extensive damage to the country’s hydropower infrastructure due to recent flash floods.
Under the approval, electricity will be supplied to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for 18 hours a day, from 0000 hours to 1800 hours, the Ministry of Power said. Of the total approved capacity, up to 600 MW of electricity can be exported through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV D/c transmission line. Another 54 MW can be supplied through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV S/c transmission line, according to the Ministry.
The Ministry said the arrangement has been approved as an immediate measure to help Nepal address the shortfall in domestic electricity generation after the floods severely affected several hydropower facilities.
The electricity export is part of India’s broader assistance to Nepal following the devastating floods. India has continued to provide support for rescue, relief and forensic operations as Nepal deals with the mounting human and infrastructure losses. Rescue and Relief update issued by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on September 11, the death toll from the floods had reached 1,385, while 5,130 people remained missing, according to the latest Search.
