Nepal halts power exports to Bangladesh after floods hit hydropower plants

Nepal has completely halted electricity exports to Bangladesh after severe flooding along the Bhotekoshi River damaged two hydropower plants supplying power to Bangladesh through India’s transmission grid.

The exports have fallen to zero after the 22.1MW Chilime Hydropower Plant and the 24MW Trishuli Hydropower Station were damaged in last week’s floods and suspended generation, The Kathmandu Post reported on Wednesday (September 2).

Dhirghayu Kumar Shrestha, acting managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), said both projects supplying electricity to Bangladesh had been affected. The NEA has sought India’s approval to export power from an alternative project, he said.

Nepal’s hydropower generation has also dropped sharply following the August 26 flash flood, with overall output falling from around 1,000MW to about 650MW, according to the report.

The disruption comes during Nepal’s peak hydropower season, when the country typically exports surplus electricity as river flows rise during the monsoon. Nepal has been seeking to expand its role as a regional power supplier by exporting surplus electricity to neighbouring countries.

Nepal began exporting electricity to Bangladesh through India’s grid under a landmark tripartite agreement signed on January 5, 2024, between the NEA, India’s NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN) and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

Under the agreement, Nepal supplies Bangladesh with 40MW of electricity annually from June 15 to November 15 during the monsoon season.