Kathmandu, July 15 (IANS) Nepal and India have agreed to increase the volume of electricity traded between the two countries through two cross-border transmission line projects.

During the 13th meeting of the Nepal–India Joint Steering Committee (JSC), an energy Secretary-level bilateral mechanism held in the western Nepali city of Pokhara, the two sides agreed that Nepal could export up to 1,650 MW of electricity to India and import up to 1,400 MW through two 400 kV cross-border transmission lines connecting the two countries.

The two transmission lines to be used for power transfer are the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur and Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi 400 kV cross-border transmission lines.

Of the two, the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur transmission line has been in operation since 2016, while the Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi transmission line project is nearing completion, according to Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company, established by India’s state-owned SJVN Limited to develop the 900 MW Arun III Hydropower Project in eastern Nepal, is also constructing the Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi transmission line.

Previously, the two countries had agreed to allow Nepal to export up to 1,100 MW of electricity to India and import up to 1,000 MW through the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur cross-border transmission line.

With the high-capacity Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi transmission line nearing completion, the two sides agreed to increase the amount of electricity that can be traded through the two transmission lines.

The meeting was co-chaired by Sarita Dawadi, Secretary at Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, and Pankaj Kumar, Secretary at India’s Ministry of Power.

A meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) at the Joint Secretary level was held on Tuesday ahead of the JSC meeting.

The two sides also agreed to expedite work on several new high-capacity cross-border transmission line projects.

According to a press statement issued by Nepal’s Energy Ministry, the meeting approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Chameliya (Nepal)–Jauljibi (India) 220 kV double-circuit transmission line, setting a target to complete construction by December 2028.

The meeting also agreed to expedite the establishment of a joint venture company between the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) to develop the Inaruwa–New Purnea and Dododhara (New Lamki)–Bareilly 400 kV cross-border transmission line projects.

The Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA) and Joint Venture (JV) Agreement for the projects have already been signed by the two entities.

The meeting approved the DPR for the Motihari–Nijgadh 400 kV double-circuit transmission line, which is expected to facilitate additional electricity exports from Nepal to India by 2034–35.

It also approved the DPR for upgrading the Muzaffarpur–Dhalkebar 400 kV transmission line by replacing the existing conductor with a High Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) conductor to increase its transfer capacity.

The Ministry said that additional technical studies would be conducted before finalising the proposed Lucknow–Kohalpur (Lamahi) 400 kV transmission line project.

The meeting also reached an understanding on the New Butwal–Gorakhpur 400 kV cross-border transmission line.

As the Nepal section of the line is expected to be completed by August 2026, while the New Butwal 400 kV substation is scheduled for completion only by December 2027, the transmission line will temporarily operate at 220 kV until the substation is completed.

The Nepal section of the project is being developed with funding from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an aid agency of the US government.

“Under this interim arrangement, the transmission line will be capable of importing up to 130 MW of electricity from India and exporting up to 200 MW from Nepal,” the Ministry said.

–IANS

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