India opening "easy path" for Nepal's electricity, agreement draft being prepared

KATHMANDU, April 3: The preparation of the agreement has started for permission to export Nepal's electricity easily. An agreement is being prepared between the two sides to give Nepal's electricity easy access to the Indian market during the visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to India, which is expected in the second week of Baisakh. During the visit, Nepal and India will prioritize electricity trade for which the two countries are preparing an agreement. 

Currently, the Nepal Electricity Authority has to obtain permission twice from the regulatory body of India to sell electricity in the Indian market. The authority should take permission for how much capacity of electricity to send to India. After that, permission should be taken separately from which project to sell electricity in that capacity in India. After these two permissions are granted, the authority can sell electricity in the Indian market. However, during Prime Minister Dahal's visit to India, there is a plan to sign an agreement with a provision to sell Nepali electricity directly to India.

Currently, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has been preparing a draft of the agreement to be held during Prime Minister Dahal's visit to India. The draft also includes provisions for Nepali electricity to have direct access to the Indian market.