India Blocks Extra 20MW Nepal Power Export to Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s plan to import an additional 20 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Nepal has been delayed after India withheld approval, citing transmission line capacity constraints.

As a result, Nepal will continue exporting only the previously approved 40MW of electricity to Bangladesh during the current monsoon season under the existing arrangement.

According to energy sector officials, India’s Central Electricity Authority (CEA) declined to approve the additional power allocation, stating that the 1,000MW India-Bangladesh cross-border transmission line currently lacks the capacity to handle the extra supply.

Officials said Nepal Electricity Authority had initiated the process for the additional 20MW export through India’s NVVN, but the proposal was stalled due to transmission limitations.

The issue is expected to be discussed further at upcoming Nepal-India Joint Steering Committee and Joint Working Group meetings. Any expansion in electricity export will also require a revised tripartite agreement involving the Bangladesh Power Development Board.

A tripartite agreement signed in October 2024 among the Nepal Electricity Authority, Bangladesh Power Development Board and India’s NVVN enabled Nepal to export 40MW of electricity to Bangladesh annually from 15 June to 15 November.

Nepal first supplied electricity to Bangladesh in November 2024 using the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur transmission line through India and the Baharampur–Bheramara line into Bangladesh.

Later, during a joint meeting in Dhaka in November 2025, both sides agreed in principle to increase the export by an additional 20MW, raising total supply to 60MW.

The current 40MW export is generated from Nepal’s Trishuli and Chilime hydropower projects, both of which already have export clearance from India.

However, the additional 20MW allocation will require separate approval from Indian authorities before supply can begin.

The delay highlights the ongoing challenges in regional cross-border energy trade, particularly regarding transmission infrastructure and regulatory approvals.