DHAKA – Nepal has suspended electricity exports to Bangladesh after devastating flash floods damaged two hydropower plants that supply power to Bangladesh through India, according to Nepali media reports.
The floods, which struck the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river basins on August 26, severely damaged several hydropower facilities and transmission infrastructure, disrupting Nepal’s electricity generation and exports.
Dighayu Kumar Shrestha, acting managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), confirmed that electricity exports to Bangladesh had effectively fallen to zero because the two projects supplying the country were badly damaged.
Hydropower plants crippled
Under a tripartite arrangement involving Nepal, India and Bangladesh, Nepal was authorized to export up to 40 megawatts of electricity to Bangladesh through India’s power grid.
The two projects involved are the 22.1MW Chilime Hydropower Project and the 24MW Trishuli Hydropower Project. Before the floods, Chilime supplied 21.4MW and Trishuli 18.6MW to Bangladesh.
Both plants have since been severely damaged, forcing a complete halt to their electricity generation.
Nepal normally has surplus electricity during the monsoon season and exports more than 1,000MW on average. However, the recent floods damaged 12 hydropower plants and substations, reducing the country’s overall export capacity to around 650MW.
Nepal has sought India’s approval to export electricity to Bangladesh from alternative projects, but the request is still being processed.
Transmission constraints and approval hurdles
The disruption is also linked to regulatory and transmission constraints.
Nepal and Bangladesh had agreed to increase electricity exports by another 20MW on top of the existing 40MW arrangement. However, India’s Central Electricity Authority has not approved the additional flow, citing limitations in transmission capacity.
Meanwhile, exports from three other Nepali hydropower projects, totaling about 73.75MW, have also remained stalled after the relevant annual approvals from India expired without renewal.
Nepal has also faced approval-related difficulties concerning larger projects, including the Chinese-built 456MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project.
Repairs under way
The Nepal Electricity Authority is carrying out emergency repairs to damaged powerhouses and transmission lines in an effort to restore electricity generation and exports.
Authorities are also exploring alternative sources that could eventually allow Nepal to resume supplying electricity to Bangladesh through India.
The suspension highlights the vulnerability of cross-border electricity trade to extreme weather events, as well as the importance of transmission capacity and regulatory approvals in maintaining regional power connectivity.
Add a source attribution line
Clarify the 40MW calculation
Tighten the headline and subhead
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