Historic Power Flow from Nepal to Bangladesh via India
On Friday, a significant event took place as Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, along with Md Fouzul Kabir Khan from Bangladesh and Nepali Minister Dipak Khadka, inaugurated the first trilateral power flow transaction. This virtual event was hosted by Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation.
Power Flow Details
The power transaction involves exporting up to 40 MW of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid. This initiative was initially announced in June 2023 during the visit of Nepal’s former Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, to India.
Benefits and Agreements
Union Minister Khattar highlighted the benefits for all three countries involved. The agreement, known as the Regional Cooperation for Power Purchase Sale and Distribution and Transmission, allows Nepal to use India’s transmission grid to send electricity to Bangladesh. A tripartite power sales agreement was signed in October between NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, the Nepal Electricity Authority, and the Bangladesh Power Development Board.
This power flow is expected to enhance sub-regional connectivity in the power sector, benefiting the economies of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
Doubts Revealed
Trilateral Power Flow -: Trilateral Power Flow means electricity is being shared or transferred between three countries. In this case, it involves Nepal, India, and Bangladesh working together to share electricity.
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar -: Manohar Lal Khattar is a politician in India. He is the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Haryana, and he is involved in this project to help manage the electricity sharing between the countries.
40 MW of power -: 40 MW stands for 40 Megawatts, which is a unit to measure electricity. It is enough power to supply electricity to thousands of homes.
Sub-regional cooperation -: Sub-regional cooperation means countries in a specific area working together. Here, it refers to Nepal, India, and Bangladesh collaborating to share resources like electricity.
Tripartite agreement -: A tripartite agreement is a deal made between three parties. In this case, it is an agreement between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh to allow electricity to flow through India’s grid from Nepal to Bangladesh.
India’s grid -: India’s grid is a network of power lines and stations that distribute electricity across the country. It is being used to help send electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh.
