Nepal and India today discussed development of suitable rules and guidelines for allowing access to Nepali power producers to Indian markets.
The eighth meeting – through video conferencing – of Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on Cooperation in Power sector today co-chaired by the power and energy secretaries of India and Nepal today discussed, inter alia, development of suitable rules and guidelines for allowing access to Nepali power producers to Indian markets, development of energy banking mechanism, development of cross border high voltage transmission lines as well as reviewing the progress of the SJVN Ltd- developed 900MW Arun-III Hydro Electric Project in Nepal and agreeing to further facilitate its expeditious implementation.
Both governments have been coordinating closely with each other in this sector, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
Consequently, progress made in the last five years in this sector has been exemplary, it reads, adding that it includes completion of South Asia’s first cross border 400 KV transmission line at Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar, agreement on funding modality for Gorakhpur-Butwal 400 KV line for which the construction will commence soon, and the brisk progress on the 900 MW Arun-III Hydro Electric Project. “Both sides are also close to finalising the regulatory modality for allowing Nepali power producers access to Indian power market which will provide an outlet for Nepal’s surplus power in the coming months.”
The meeting was led by energy secretary Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, who was assisted by representatives of various ministries and departments, while his counterpart Indian power secretary Sanjiv Nandan Sahai led the Indian team that included by ambassador of India to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and a 17-member delegation drawn from various ministries and public sector undertakings of Indian government including NHPC Ltd, NTPC Ltd and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
The Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting at the level of joint secretaries was held yesterday in preparation of this meeting.
The JSC is the apex bilateral mechanism for enhancing and coordinating various government-to-government led initiatives in power sector. The meeting reviewed progress made on bilateral processes and initiatives in this sector. “Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the power sector cooperation between the two countries, including development of an integrated grid, building of more cross border transmission lines, as required, as well as investing in Nepal’s hydro and solar power projects,” the press note reads, adding that the positive and wide-ranging discussions are expected to further support the expansion in power sector cooperation between India and Nepal.
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