Nepal Exports 1,000 MW of electricity daily, generating Rs 15 billion in revenue

KATHMANDU: Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister, as well as Minister for Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising has emphasized the need to strengthen Nepal’s power export strategy to maximize national revenue and ensure reliable electricity supply within the country. Minister Ghising made the remarks during an on-site inspection of the Load Dispatch Centre (LDC) under the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) located in Syuchatar, Kathmandu, on Monday evening.

During his visit, Minister Ghising received a detailed briefing on the nation’s power generation, transmission, and distribution network, grid operations, electricity demand and supply management, and the status of export arrangements to India and Bangladesh. He also assessed the damages caused by recent floods and landslides to hydropower plants and transmission infrastructure.

Amid rising public complaints about frequent power cuts in several areas, Ghising—who previously served as NEA’s Managing Director—stressed the need for short, medium, and long-term policy and technical reforms to make Nepal’s electricity system more reliable, high-quality, secure, and modern. He directed NEA officials to give top priority to resolving power fluctuation issues and to remain in a state of readiness to respond swiftly to any disruption in power services.

Minister Ghising also urged NEA management to ensure the full operation of hydropower plants, transmission lines, and substations, particularly emphasizing the completion and optimization of the Marsyangdi Corridor 220 kV and Hetauda–Dhalkebar 400 kV transmission lines. He highlighted the importance of these projects for upcoming winter energy management and export expansion.

NEA Executive Director Manoj Silwal and LDC Director Chandan Kumar Ghosh provided detailed updates on national electricity production, demand, supply, system operations, export status, and ongoing repair works. Silwal reported that repair teams are on standby and have been mobilized to restore services disrupted by floods and landslides.

According to NEA data, Nepal is currently exporting an average of 1,000 megawatts (MW) of surplus electricity daily, generating approximately NPR 15 billion in revenue so far in the current fiscal year 2082/83. Electricity is being sold to Haryana and Bihar states of India through the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) on the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) and Real-Time Market (RTM), as well as via bilateral medium-term power trade agreements.

Moreover, through Indian transmission infrastructure, Nepal exports 40 MW of electricity daily to Bangladesh, marking a significant milestone in the country’s regional energy trade. Power exports to India are settled in Indian Rupees (INR), while exports to Bangladesh are traded in US Dollars (USD)—helping Nepal secure foreign exchange earnings from both neighboring markets.

NEA has already received approval to export up to 1,165 MW of electricity to India and Bangladesh combined, reinforcing Nepal’s emergence as a rising clean energy exporter in South Asia.