Hydro-rich Nepal has proposed exporting around 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh utilising the existing power-transmission infrastructure through India.
The proposal was placed at the third meeting of Bangladesh-Nepal joint steering committee (JSC) held virtually on Tuesday.
Bangladesh, however, is in final talks over the import of around 500MW electricity from Nepal's under-construction 900MW GMR Upper Karnali Hydropwer Ltd.
The JSC meeting discussed the latest development on electricity imports.
Preparation for signing a tripartite agreement among Bangladesh's state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Nepal's GMR, and India's NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVNL) is now at the final stage to facilitate the electricity import, the meeting discussed.
Power Division Secretary Md Habibur Rahman led the Bangladesh team, while Neal's power, water resources and irrigation Secretary Devendra Karki led the respective side during the virtual meeting. The meeting also discussed the investment opportunity from Bangladesh to Nepal's hydropower sector.
Nepal has identified five different potential spots to implement hydropower plants.
Potential investment opportunities by Bangladesh, including that of the private sector, can be detected on completion of an ongoing study, the virtual event was told.
The meeting also discussed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Bangladesh's Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) and Nepal's Alternative Energy Promotion Centre.
