Process of importing electricity from Nepal is almost complete: Nasrul Hamid

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid that Bangladesh-India-Nepal trilateral agreement is essential to increase regional cooperation in the power sector.

Negotiations are ongoing, he said adding, Bangladesh has sent a proposal to India and Nepal for signing an MoU (memorandum of understanding).

He made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled "Pre-event Seminar on the 3rd Nepal Investment Summit -2024" at the Nepal Embassy in Baridhara in the city on Saturday.

The state minister said that if the transmission line is built between Nepal and Bangladesh, electricity can be imported as well as exported.

He said that it is possible to build profitable partnerships across borders through regional cooperation.

“Through joint efforts, the potential of our region can be quickly exploited. It is essential for neighboring countries to work together for sustainable development and economic prosperity”, he observed.

“Tariff settlement between Nepal's National Electric Authority (NEA) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is almost complete”.

The state minister said BPDB will invest in Nepal's Sunkoshi-3 project with the opportunity to sell electricity to Nepal and India.

“Feasibility study has already been completed. Discussions are going on between the two sides to move forward”, he said.

The matter of importing the electricity produced by the joint investment of the Indian company in the GMR project to Bangladesh is almost at the final stage.

He also said that Bangladesh Power Management Institute can provide quality training to Nepalese engineers.

Bangladesh can help Nepal in setting up solar power plants and solar home systems.

Nasrul Hamid said private investors from Bangladesh are willing to invest in Nepal's power sector. Nepal should announce special incentives to encourage them.