Nepal Exports Electricity Worth Rs 17.45 Billion in FY 2081/82

Nepal exported electricity worth Rs 17.45 billion in the fiscal year 2081/82 BS (2024/25 AD), marking a significant rise in clean energy trade. According to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), electricity worth Rs 17.19 billion was exported to India and Rs 266.6 million to Bangladesh during this period.

At the same time, Nepal imported electricity worth Rs 12.92 billion from India, showing a drop in imports compared to the previous fiscal year.

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Export Up, Import Down

NEA reported an increase in electricity exports and a decrease in imports compared to FY 2080/81 BS (2023/24 AD), when Nepal had exported Rs 17.06 billion worth of electricity solely to India. Exports to Bangladesh had not started in that fiscal year. Imports in FY 2080/81 were Rs 16.92 billion, significantly higher than the latest fiscal year.

In FY 2081/82, Nepal exported 2.34 billion kWh to India and 30.3 million kWh to Bangladesh, as per NEA’s data.

Strategic Energy Trading with India and Bangladesh

Nepal exports surplus electricity generated during the monsoon season to India and Bangladesh. The electricity is sold on India’s Energy Exchange (IEX) under the Day-Ahead and Real-Time Markets, along with mid-term power purchase agreements with NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), which supplies the power to Haryana State.

Trade with India is settled in Indian Rupees,
While exports to Bangladesh are conducted in US Dollars.

Electricity production increases during the rainy season due to high river flow, while winter imports are necessary to meet domestic demand when production drops due to reduced water flow.

Limitations and Expansion Plans

NEA spokesperson Rajan Dhakal stated that Nepal currently exports 700–800 MW, though full capacity export is not yet possible due to:

Transmission limitations,
Damages from floods and landslides,
Reduced generation from muddy river water.

“Some projects are temporarily shut down due to poor water quality. But from the third week of Bhadra (late August), cleaner water will allow full capacity generation,” said Dhakal. “We expect to export up to 1,000 MW after that.”

Nepal has sought approval to export an additional 350 MW to India, of which 200 MW is expected to be approved soon.

Nepal–India–Bangladesh Trilateral Power Deal

Under a trilateral agreement between Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) of India, Nepal resumed electricity export to Bangladesh from June 15, 2025 (1 Asar 2082 BS), supplying 40 MW.

Previously, a 12-hour pilot export was conducted on November 15, 2024 (30 Kartik 2081 BS). The current agreement allows seasonal export to Bangladesh from June 15 to November 15 every year.

Nepal’s electricity reaches Bangladesh via:

Dhulikhel–Muzaffarpur 400 kV transmission line (Nepal–India)
Baharampur–Bheramara 400 kV transmission line (India–Bangladesh)

From the Trishuli and Chilime Hydropower Projects, Nepal is authorized to export a combined 40 MW (18.6 MW and 21.4 MW respectively) to Bangladesh. Both projects are also approved for export to India.

Earnings and Energy Rates

NEA earns 6.40 US cents per unit from electricity sold to Bangladesh. This export diversification strengthens Nepal’s position in the South Asian energy market.

Former NEA Executive Director Kulman Ghising had earlier claimed that in FY 2080/81, Nepal became a net electricity exporter, with Rs 130 million more earned through exports than spent on imports.

However, some domestic industrialists criticized the move, arguing that power was exported without meeting internal demand.

Despite criticism, the latest statistics show further decline in imports and a surge in exports.