Nepal could expand its electricity exports to Sri Lanka through India under a proposed submarine power transmission link between India and Sri Lanka, opening up a potential new market for Nepal’s surplus hydropower.
The proposal was discussed at the 19th Power Secretaries’ Roundtable held in Mumbai on October 9–10. Energy officials from South Asia explored a possible roadmap for transmitting Nepal’s electricity to Sri Lanka through India’s power grid.
Sunil Paudel, joint secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, said Nepal and India had completed grid code harmonisation, while preparations were underway to harmonise the systems of India and Sri Lanka.
The meeting also discussed winter electricity shortages, climate-related damage to hydropower infrastructure and regional energy cooperation. Nepal is preparing to connect the Liping Khola hydropower project and other private-sector projects to the national grid by mid-November.
Nepal’s cross-border electricity transmission capacity with India has reached 1,650 MW. Meanwhile, the existing 500 MW trilateral electricity trade arrangement involving Nepal, India and Bangladesh was also reviewed, including Bangladesh’s interest in supplying solar power to Nepal in winter and importing Nepali hydropower during the monsoon.
The discussions highlighted opportunities to expand regional electricity trade, strengthen energy security and improve power system resilience across South Asia.
