Fiscal Nepal
First Business News Portal in English from Nepal
KATHMANDU: The capacity of the only operational 400 kV Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line has now been upgraded to 1,000 MW , enabling Nepal and India to import and export up to 1,000 MW of electricity through this line.
This decision was made during the Nepal-India Joint Secretary-Level Energy Meeting , which took place on Tuesday in New Delhi.
The meeting, chaired jointly by Suresh Acharya , Secretary of Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, and Pankaj Agrawal , Secretary of India’s Ministry of Power, decided to increase the transmission line’s capacity from 200 MW to 1,000 MW .
The meeting also reviewed and endorsed decisions from previous joint secretary-level discussions. Additionally, it was decided that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 220 kV double-circuit Chameliya (Nepal) – Jaulyjiwi (India) transmission line will be completed by March 2025 .
The construction of the Nepalese segment of the transmission line will be undertaken by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) , while the Indian segment will be handled by Power Grid Corporation of India , with a target completion date of 2027 .
New Cross-Border Transmission Lines
Plans are underway to construct two additional 400 kV inter-country transmission lines between Nepal and India:
Inaruwa–New Purania Line : To be completed by 2028/29 . Dodhara–Bareilly Line : To be completed by 2029/30 .
These projects will be implemented as joint ventures :
For the Nepalese side of the transmission line, 51% ownership will be held by the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), and 49% by India’s Power Grid .
For the Indian side, the ownership structure will be reversed: 51% by Power Grid and 49% by NEA . Energy Secretary Suresh Acharya stated that modalities for establishing the joint venture company will be finalized within one month , and the groundwork for its establishment will begin immediately.
Long-Term Plans for Additional Transmission Lines
To facilitate further electricity exports from Nepal to India by 2034-35 , detailed plans for additional cross-border transmission lines have been agreed upon:
Nijgadh/Harnaiya (Nepal) – Motihari (India) 400 kV Line : To be completed by 2034-35 . Halpur (Nepal) – Lucknow (India) 400 kV Line : To be completed by 2034-35 .
These lines will ensure expanded transmission capacity to meet growing energy demands and enable Nepal to export surplus electricity generated from its hydropower projects.
Key Takeaways
Increased Capacity : The Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur line’s capacity has been raised to 1,000 MW , enhancing cross-border electricity trade. Joint Ventures : Future transmission lines will be constructed under joint ventures between NEA and Power Grid. Long-Term Vision : Detailed plans for additional transmission lines aim to boost Nepal’s electricity exports to India by 2034-35 .
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