Kathmandu, Oct 7: Nepal has earned NPR 15 billion (around INR 9.37 billion) from electricity exports since the beginning of the fiscal year 2025–26 in mid-July, as power continues to strengthen its position as a key export commodity for the Himalayan nation.
According to a statement from the Secretariat of Energy Minister Kul Man Ghising, the country sold around 1,000 MW of electricity, mainly to India and a smaller portion to Bangladesh. The announcement followed Minister Ghising’s visit to the Load Dispatch Centre of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) after several hydropower plants suffered damage from floods and landslides.
Nepal exports surplus electricity — after meeting domestic demand — primarily to India through the Indian Energy Exchange’s Day-Ahead and Real-Time Markets and via bilateral power sale agreements with Haryana and Bihar. It also exports 40 MW daily to Bangladesh using India’s transmission infrastructure.
Electricity trade with India is conducted in Indian rupees, while exports to Bangladesh are settled in US dollars. The NEA currently has approval to export 1,165 MW of electricity to both countries combined.
NEA spokesperson Rajan Dhakal said Nepal is expected to earn more before the export season ends in mid-November, though lower electricity prices in India could slightly reduce total earnings. Last fiscal year, Nepal earned NPR 17.5 billion from power exports.
Despite recent floods damaging 32 hydropower projects — 17 operational (180 MW) and 15 under construction (338 MW) — electricity supply to India and Bangladesh remains unaffected.
Nepal now has an installed capacity of nearly 4,000 MW and aims to generate 28,500 MW by 2035, exporting 15,000 MW, including 10,000 MW to India under a long-term power trade agreement signed in January 2024.
