India renews Nepal’s power import permit but leaves export approvals pending
Summary
India has renewed Nepal’s permit to import up to 654MW of electricity but has not yet extended export approvals for three hydropower projects. Flood damage and pending approvals are disrupting Nepal’s monsoon power exports and raising uncertainty over winter electricity supply.
Key Points
- India has approved Nepal Electricity Authority’s electricity imports for 18 hours a day from September 13 to December 31, but export permits for three hydropower projects remain pending.
- Floods in the Bhotekoshi River have damaged several hydropower projects and cut export capacity, while exports to Bangladesh have been halted for nearly a month.
- Nepal is exporting about 600MW a day to India, but another 134.85MW approved for export remains unsold because approvals have not been granted.
- Officials say Nepal’s winter power needs remain uncertain because India has not allowed evening peak imports or extended some export permissions.
