Nepal targets 15,000 MW renewable power export by 2035, Minister Ghising calls for South Asian regional energy integration

NEW DELHI: Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation — who also oversees the portfolios of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development — Kul Man Ghising has made a strong international appeal for investment in Nepal’s renewable energy sector, positioning the country’s hydropower and solar capacity as pivotal to South Asia’s clean energy transformation.

Speaking as the keynote speaker at the thematic session “Envisioning Regional and Global Interconnections for Large-Scale Clean Energy Transition” during the Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) assembly held in New Delhi today, Ghising emphasized that Nepal’s hydropower potential is not just national capital—it is a regional strategic enabler of clean energy stability, resilience, and growth.

He urged international partners to “invest in Nepal, invest in renewables, and be part of a brighter, greener future for all.”

Nepal’s Clean Energy at a Historic Turning Point

Minister Ghising described Nepal as being at a “turning point” in its clean energy journey. He noted that Nepal has already developed around 4,000 megawatts of clean electricity capacity, primarily from hydropower and solar energy, making it one of the greenest electricity producers in the world.

“Nepal is blessed with an estimated 83,000 MW of hydropower potential and about 42,000 MW of pumped storage potential,” he said. “Our renewable resources are clean, sustainable, and complement the solar and wind systems of our neighboring countries.”

He also highlighted that Nepal is steadily scaling up its solar generation capacity, with 140 MW already connected to the grid and 1,100 MW under development. The government’s goal is to maintain a diversified renewable mix that ensures both grid reliability and energy security.

Nepal–India Energy Cooperation Expanding Rapidly

Ghising said that nearly 8 gigawatts of hydropower projects are currently under development in Nepal, including 4.8 gigawatts with Indian public and private investment, underscoring the growing investor confidence in Nepal’s power sector and the deepening regional partnership between Kathmandu and New Delhi.

He cited the landmark long-term power trade agreement between Nepal and India, signed in June 2023, as a “milestone that envisions the export of 10,000 megawatts over the next decade.” This was built on the Joint Vision Statement issued by the Prime Ministers of Nepal and India in April 2022, aiming to expand cross-border power markets and strengthen energy cooperation.

“Our joint transmission planning with India until 2035 has already identified eight high-voltage cross-border interconnections capable of enabling over 16 gigawatts of power exchange,” he said. The Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur 400 kV line is operational, while Butwal–Gorakhpur and Dhalkebar–Sitamarhi lines are nearing completion.

He added that studies for additional transmission corridors are ongoing, with financing mechanisms already finalized for the next two 400 kV lines, reinforcing the expanding energy network between the two countries.

Building a Regional Power Market: Nepal–India–Bangladesh

Minister Ghising stressed that cross-border energy cooperation lies at the core of Nepal’s clean energy vision. Nepal already exports around 1,100 megawatts during the wet season and imports up to 800 megawatts in the dry season, illustrating its role as both an exporter and importer in the regional power ecosystem.

To achieve effective regional integration, Ghising underlined the need to strengthen transmission infrastructure not just between Nepal and India, but also India and Bangladesh, in order to lay the foundation for a fully interconnected BIMSTEC power grid.

He reiterated Nepal’s long-term aspiration to export 15,000 megawatts of renewable electricity by 2035, emphasizing that hydropower is “a strategic enabler for South Asia’s clean energy transition and a vital source of grid flexibility.”

Aligning with the “One Sun, One World, One Grid” Vision

Ghising linked Nepal’s regional strategy to India’s flagship initiative, “One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG),” which envisions global solar interconnections.

“As regional and global grids evolve, interconnections will allow renewable power to flow across time zones—balancing demand and supply, lowering costs, and expanding access,” he said. “This vision perfectly aligns with OSOWOG, where clean energy flows seamlessly and sustainably across borders.”

To realize this vision, he called upon South Asian nations to work toward an integrated regional power market that ensures the free, fair, and non-discriminatory flow of clean energy. He highlighted the importance of transparent regulations, harmonized standards, and open access to transmission networks to attract private and foreign investment while ensuring long-term sustainability.

Climate Resilience and Sustainable Infrastructure

Addressing the growing impacts of climate change, Ghising emphasized that building climate-resilient infrastructure is a national priority.

“Nepal’s contribution to global carbon emissions is negligible,” he said, “but we are facing increasingly frequent floods and droughts that severely damage our power systems and livelihoods, often demanding large-scale reconstruction.”

He called for stronger regional and international collaboration to mobilize climate finance for adaptation, resilience-building, and mitigation, noting that energy infrastructure must be built to withstand the challenges of a changing climate.

Strategic Importance of Nepal’s Hydropower

Minister Ghising described Nepal’s hydropower as a strategic regional asset, vital not only for Nepal’s development but also for ensuring a stable and flexible power grid across South Asia.

He stated that hydropower’s complementarity with solar and wind energy from India and Bangladesh could help the region balance intermittent generation patterns and stabilize the grid during peak demands.

“As a clean, renewable, and dispatchable source of energy, Nepal’s hydropower stands as a key enabler of sustainable development and decarbonization in the region,” he said.

Invitation for Global Investment

In his closing remarks, Minister Ghising issued a direct call to the international investment community to recognize Nepal’s immense renewable potential.

“With abundant hydropower, rising solar capacity, and expanding cross-border connections, Nepal holds the promise of powering the region sustainably,” he said. “We invite our friends and partners from around the world—invest in Nepal, invest in renewables, and be part of a brighter, greener future for all.”

Ghising’s remarks, delivered at a global renewable energy platform attended by ministers, policymakers, investors, and energy experts, positioned Nepal as an emerging clean energy hub in South Asia. His speech also underscored Nepal’s growing diplomatic and economic collaboration with India and Bangladesh, as the three nations move toward a trilateral clean energy framework that could redefine energy security and regional integration in the subcontinent.