Energy diplomacy takes center stage as India greenlights 350 MW power imports for Nepal from Bihar, UP, and Uttarakhand following intensive talks in Pokhara. The bilateral mechanism’s meeting cleared hurdles for winter supplies, critical for Nepal’s hydropower-vulnerable grid.
Nepal’s energy landscape flips seasonally: monsoon exports to India give way to winter imports as run-of-the-river plants falter with receding waters. The PEC, uniting NEA and CEA, hiked rates by 1.5%—NPR 8.22/kWh on 132 kV, 8.91 on 33 kV, and 9.55 on 11 kV—for the next year.
Hitendra Dev Shakya steered Nepal’s team, opposite Vijay Kumar Singh’s Indian contingent. The deal offers a safety net: Nepal taps open markets first, falling back on PEC for up to 350 MW if needed. NEA currently pulls 12-14,000 MWh daily, eyeing increases for parched March-April.
Global ripples from Middle East conflicts, notably Israel-Iran, threaten supply chains, amplifying the pact’s importance. This ensures uninterrupted power, curbing outages that hamper daily life and industry.
Beyond immediate relief, the agreement fosters long-term integration, potentially unlocking more collaborative projects. India-Nepal ties in energy grow stronger, heralding a stable, shared power future.