India Approves Early Electricity Exports to Flood Hit Nepal

India's Ministry of Power has approved a request from the Nepal government to import electricity starting September 13 through December 31. The approval allows for power exports for 18 hours a day, specifically from midnight to 6 pm, to help Nepal mitigate a generation shortfall caused by recent devastating flash floods. These floods damaged hydropower infrastructure and resulted in more than 1,300 deaths.

The Ministry of Power stated that the approval will help Nepal meet its requirements during this difficult period and strengthen energy cooperation between the two nations. The approved quantum of power includes up to 600 MW through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV line and up to 54 MW through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV line. The amount of power to be exported from January will be reviewed in December.

Nepal typically imports electricity from India during the dry winter months starting around October and exports surplus hydropower during the summer. This year, the request for imports came earlier than usual following the August 26 floods. Some assessments indicate that Nepal's domestic power generation capacity fell by approximately 550 MW, reducing cross border power flow to India by about 400 MW from previous peak levels.

India's decision to export during solar generation hours aligns with its own comfortable daytime power availability due to expanded solar capacity. However, India is facing tighter supply conditions during the evening and night. In September, peak power demand reached 269 GW on September 10, the highest ever recorded for the month. To bridge night time shortfalls, India has increased its reliance on coal fired plants and expensive gas based power.