 November 2023The King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, paid an official visit to India in November 2023. His visit emphasized bilateral cooperation on energy and hydropower, an important pillar of Bhutan-India partnership. His trip to Assam covered a wide range of issues, including expanding rail connectivity and cross-border trade infrastructure. Read More Tags: Energy, Bhutan, India, Hydropower |
 October 2023From mid-July to mid-October 2023, Nepal’s electricity export to India reached NPR9.64 billion (approximately $72.2 million). Electricity export has helped reduce Nepal’s trade deficit with India and increased the country’s foreign exchange reserves, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority. Read More Tags: Energy, Nepal, Hydropower, India |
 June 2023India and Nepal have signed new agreements for hydropower, power trading, and trade and transit. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement on 1 June 2023 during a visit to India by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Hydropower, Trade, Rail Transport |
 February 2023Mr. Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, met with Mr. Masud bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh. They agreed to further strengthen ongoing bilateral cooperation, in areas of trade and investment, connectivity, power and energy and people-to-people ties. They also agreed to enhance their cooperation and consultations on regional and international issues of shared interest. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Energy, Hydropower |
 December 2022The 720-megawatt Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project was handed over to Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation on 27 December 2022. The commissioning of the project has increased Bhutan's Electrical Power Generation Capacity by 44% to 2,326 MW. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy |
 September 2022The 9th meeting of the Joint Committee on Water Resources between the Governments of India and Nepal have agreed to move forward with the Sapta Kosi high dam project by conducting further studies. The joint team of experts is expected to convene soon. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Hydropower, Energy |
 July 2022Bangladesh aims to invest in Nepal’s Sunkoshi III hydropower project, according to Bangladesh's Ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury. The planned project will have a capacity of 683 megawatts and will be established in Lubughat, Khadadevi. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Nepal, Hydropower, Energy |
June 2021 Bangladesh will import around 700 megawatts of hydropower from Nepal to meet its future electricity demand. The country is set to sign an agreement with Nepal for the hydropower import. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Nepal, Energy, Hydropower |
 May 2021The small hydropower plant at Chandannath Municipality in Nepal's Jumla District was rehabilitated with financial assistance from the Government of India. The plant was virtually inaugurated by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Nepal, the District Coordination Committee of Jumla, and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) on 5 May. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Nepal, India, Energy |
 April 2021The Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Government of Bhutan launched the Sustainable Hydropower Development Policy (SHDP) 2021 on 21 April 2021. The SHDP 2021 is expected to guide the overall development of Bhutan's abundant hydropower resources in consonance with national economic development goals, other relevant policies and laws, and more importantly to benefit the nation and achieve the larger aspirations of its people for peace, prosperity, and happiness. Read More Tags: Energy, Bhutan, Hydropower |
 April 2021The Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) has launched the Cross Border Electricity Trade (CBET) on its platform. The IEX aims to provide the most competitive benchmark for power prices and valuable signals for the value chain. It will work closely with designated nodal agencies for cross border electricity trade to facilitate inter-country power trade through the exchange market. Read More Tags: Energy, India, Trade, Hydropower, BBIN |
 March 2021The Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Ltd. (KHEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India’s power sector financers under the Ministry of Power for the 600-megawatt (MW) hydropower project in eastern Bhutan. KHEL is the first hydropower joint venture between Bhutan and India. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Energy, Hydropower |
 March 2021South Asia needs an integrated energy grid to reduce transmission cost and promote regional economic development, said Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India. The subregion should bring together buyers and sellers and harmonize regulatory frameworks to harness the potential of the power trade, he added. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Hydropower, Energy, Regional Cooperation |
 August 2020Hydropower generation in Bhutan, the country’s biggest export, has increased by 14%. Bhutan’s economic development is linked with the growth of its hydropower sector. Strong growth in hydropower generation can help offset the COVID-19-induced dip in GDP. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Hydropower, Electricity |
June 2020 The Governments of Bhutan and India signed an agreement for the first joint venture hydropower project between the two countries. This agreement covers the construction of the 600-megawatt Kholongchhu hydropower project in Bhutan. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Energy, Bhutan, India |
 March 2020A South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation project is providing affordable energy and improving lives in rural villages through an agreement signed by Nepal’s Alternative Energy Promotion Center and the United Nations Development Programme to promote renewable energy in Nepal. Read More Tags: ADB, Hydropower, Nepal, Renewable Energy, SASEC, Solar Energy |
 August 2019Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi have signed a power purchase agreement between PTC India Limited and Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation Limited for the sale and purchase of electricity from the 720 megawatt Mangdechhu hydropower project. The two prime minister jointly inaugurated the hydropower plant during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bhutan. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Bhutan, India, Energy |
 June 2019Nepal will welcome private and public sector investments from Bangladesh, said Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Secretary, Nepal, Mr. Dinesh Kumar Ghimire. He said Nepal and Bangladesh are looking to boost trade and business with each other and should explore new areas of cooperation. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Energy, Hydropower, Investments, Nepal, Solar Energy |
 October 2018The Simrutu River Small Hydropower Project, a micro-hydropower plant developed under the SASEC Program, is nearing completion in Rukum District, Nepal. The power plant will produce 200 kilowatts of electricity for rural communities and will be the largest hydropower project in the district once completed. The project is partially financed by the Asian Development Bank. Read More Tags: ADB, Energy, Hydropower, Nepal, SASEC |
 May 2018A delegation of Eminent Persons' Group (EPG) members from Nepal visited the Visakhapatnam (Vizag) port on 24 May 2018. The team met with Mr. Movva Tirumala Krishna Babu, Chairman, Vizag Port Trust. The Meeting recommended measures to boost efficiency of cargo shipment from Vizag port to Nepal. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Ports, Trade, Transit, Hydropower, Cooperation |
 February 2018Eminent Persons Group including representatives from both India and Nepal exchanged the first draft reports on future India-Nepal relations during their seventh meeting in Kathmandu on 24 February 2018. It is likely that they will produce one joint final report during the next meeting in New Delhi that will be submitted to both governments before the group’s term expires in July. Read More Tags: Connectivity, India, Nepal, Cooperation, Energy, Hydropower |
 February 2018The 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Bhutan and India is an occasion to reflect on further advancing ties between the two countries, said Ms. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, India. India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner and the two countries cooperate in the fields of transport and hydroelectric power. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Cooperation, Hydropower, Trade, Energy |
 February 2018Bangladesh's interest to harness Nepal's hydropower potential could be a win-win for both countries, with India playing the role of catalyst, shared Mr. Mostofa Sohrab Chowdhury, President, Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Bangladesh's projected additional energy demand is 21,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030, while Nepal's untapped economically feasible hydropower potential is 42,000 MW. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Cooperation, Energy, Hydropower, Transmission |
 January 2018Rapid economic growth and increasing populations pose challenges to the South Asian region’s energy security. Increasing energy cooperation among South Asian countries will help ensure access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for the entire region. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, BBIN, BIMSTEC, Energy, Regional Cooperation, Hydropower, SAARC |
 January 2018The Government of Bhutan is moving forward with Detailed Project Reports for pipeline hydropower projects in the country, including hydropower joint ventures with the Government of India. Bhutan aims to generate another 5,178 megawatts by 2025 from these pipeline projects, including the 1,125 MW Dorjilung project, 2,560 MW Sunkosh project, and 2,640 MW Kuri Gongri project. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy, Electricity, India |
 October 2017Ms. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, India, and Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister, Bangladesh, co-chaired the Fourth India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) Meeting, reviewing progress on key initiatives and decisions in areas including trade and investment, security, connectivity, border management, power, energy, shipping, and people-to-people exchange. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, India, Connectivity, Energy, Hydropower, Trade, Investment |
 October 2017Mr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary, India, met with Bhutan top leaders to discuss trade and economic ties, energy cooperation, and the implementation of India-assisted projects in Bhutan. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Energy, Hydropower, India, Trade |
 September 2017The 13th Joint Steering Committee Meeting between Bangladesh and India, held on 27-28 September 2017 in New Delhi, India, reviewed Bangladesh-India power sector cooperation, and explored new areas and opportunities, including the possible 840 megawatt (MW) additional electricity import from India to Bangladesh, and planned Bangladesh hydropower imports from Nepal and Bhutan. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Hydropower, Energy, Nepal, Bhutan |
 June 2017The Asia Foundation, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry, is preparing a study on energy trade in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal subregion, examining how market forces, networks, and stakeholders interact. In this commentary, Mr. Aditya Valiathan Pillai, program officer of the Asia Foundation in India, discusses the creation of an energy market in South Asia and the growing importance of regional electricity trade in helping mitigate carbon emissions. Read More Tags: South Asia, BBIN, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Energy, Hydropower |
 February 2017The Governments of India and Nepal discussed how to bring transmission line projects—the Dhalkebar (Nepal)-Muzaffarpur (India) transmission line, Raxaul (India)-Parwanipur (Nepal) transmission line, and Kataiya (India)-Kushaha (Nepal) transmission line—into operation. They agreed to increase the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur transmission line to 220 kVa capacity in May 2017, and begin electricity import through the Raxaul-Parwanipur and Kataiya-Kushaha transmission line. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy, Transmission, Hydropower, Trade, Electricity |
 February 2017Hydropower cooperation among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal could be a viable option for addressing growing power needs in the region, said Mr. Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus, Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research, Brac University, Bangladesh. Nepal’s hydropower potential stands at 83,000 megawatts (MW), while Bhutan’s is at 40,000 MW and northeast India’s at 60,000 MW. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Energy, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 January 2017The second meeting of the Nepal-India Oversight Mechanism, held on 30 January 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal, reviewed progress of India-funded economic and development projects in Nepal, and agreed to expedite implementation of these projects for timely completion. Projects discussed included cross-border railways, integrated check posts, and cross-border transmission lines. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Rail, Hydropower, Infrastructure, Transport, Energy |
 January 2017The Integrated Research and Action for Development initiative has launched the analytical study “Economic Benefits from Nepal-India Electricity Trade,” confirming that a large economically feasible electricity export potential exists. Electricity trade can help boost Nepal's economy and improve the well-being of its people, and offers India an affordable and convenient renewable resource to meet demand. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Nepal, India, Energy |
 January 2017Transboundary rivers between India and Nepal have huge hydropower and irrigation potential. Developing these rivers can become an engine for regional development, alleviating poverty for millions of people within a reasonable timeframe. With improved relations between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, formulating and implementing sustainable plans to manage these rivers presents a significant win-win opportunity for the subregion. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Hydropower, Kosi River, Sustainability, Poverty Reduction |
 January 2017Nepal has upgraded the Thame Khola Small Hydropower Plant in Namche VDC, Solukhumbu District, raising the plant’s capacity from 630 kilowatts (kW) to 930 kW. India provided assistance of $54,500 for the upgrade. The facility supplies power to the upper Khumbu valley, including 18 villages of Khumjung and Namche VDC. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Nepal, India, Energy |
 December 2016Nepal’s hydropower potential could be realized with an efficient technological base, entrepreneurial vision, a coordinated power trading approach, and sustained investment commitment. Hydropower development would bring economic, social, and environmental benefits in Nepal and the rest of the South Asian region. In this speech delivered at the Power Summit, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal vowed to support domestic and foreign investors through a policy encouraging investment. Read More Tags: Development, Energy, Hydropower, India, Investment, Nepal, Private Sector, Regional Cooperation, Trade |
 December 2016The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $20 million for the SASEC Power System Expansion Project in Nepal, to be provided by the ADB Strategic Climate Fund. This additional financing will support installation of utility-scale solar photovoltaic systems by 2018. The Government of Nepal is also providing complementary funding of $24.5 million. Read More Tags: Energy, Nepal, Trade, Hydropower, ADB, SASEC, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Regional Cooperation, Regional Integration, Solar Energy, India |
 December 2016India's Ministry of Power has issued Guidelines on Cross-Border Trade of Electricity, with the aim of facilitating cross-border trade of electricity between India and its neighboring countries; promoting transparency, consistency and predictability in regulatory approaches across jurisdictions and minimizing perceptions of regulatory risk; and developing reliable grid operation and transmission of electricity across borders. Read More Tags: India, Energy, Hydropower, SAARC, Trade |
 November 2016Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali highlighted the potential joint development of hydropower projects between Bangladesh and Bhutan during discussions with Bhutan Ambassador to Bangladesh Sonam Tobden Rabgye. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy, BBIN |
 October 2016South Asian countries should engage more in regional energy trade and joint management of resources. By doing so, they could save over $9 billion annually and reduce carbon emissions by 8%. And since energy drives development, energy cooperation and trade is expected to translate to improved standards of living and poverty reduction. Read More Tags: Energy, Hydropower, South Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka |
 September 2016The Government of Bangladesh plans to form a hydropower generation company to import hydropower from countries including Bhutan and Nepal. The initiative will be set up under Bangladesh's Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Hydropower, Bhutan |
 September 2016A 'Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Hydropower' forum in Kathmandu, Nepal stressed the need for more FDI in hydropower projects. According to Nepal Minister for Energy Janardan Sharma, Nepal needs more investment to be able to fully harness its hydropower capacity. The Power Trade Agreement signed by Nepal and India promises a huge market for Nepal's hydroelectricity. Read More Tags: Nepal, Investment, Hydropower, Energy, India, Exports |
 June 2016Greatly increased energy consumption is powering economic transformation in Asia and the Pacific, but also contributing to higher greenhouse gas emissions. The devastating effects of climate change are already being felt in the region. In this speech delivered at the Pacific Energy Summit on 24 June 2016 in Singapore, Bambang Susantono, Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Asian Development Bank, looks at the challenges faced by Asia’s growing economies a Read More Tags: ADB, Energy, Hydropower, Climate Change, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 June 2016The 2-day Nepal Power Investment Summit 2016 concluded with a declaration that Nepal needs $20 billion to develop 10,000 megawatts through on-grid hydropower projects in the next decade. It also noted investment needs of $5 billion for high-voltage transmission projects and other opportunities in the country's hydropower sector. Read More Tags: Nepal, Energy, Hydropower |
 May 2016Nepal has forwarded a proposal to set up an India-Nepal energy bank that would help both countries address the problem of power shortage at a meeting of the India-Nepal Joint Standing Committee. The energy bank would enable Nepal to export electricity to India during summer and import electricity from India during winter. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy, Hydropower |
 May 2016Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Bhutan Foreign Minister Damcho Dorji discussed hydropower in a meeting in Thimphu, Bhutan: Bangladesh plans to invest in the 1,125 megawatt Dorjilung hydropower project. Trilateral cooperation among Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India would enable Bangladesh's investment in Bhutan's hydropower sector. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, Hydropower |
 April 2016The contract for civil and hydro-mechanical works of the Nikachhu Hydro Energy Project has been awarded to the Hindustan Construction Company Limited, in an international bidding held by Tangsibji Hydro Energy Limited. Works under the commissioned contract, worth around $69 million, are scheduled to start as early as July 2016. The 118 megawatt Nikachhu hydropower plant aims to become another model hydropower development in Bhutan. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Energy, Hydropower |
 April 2016The Jigme Wangchuck Power Training Institute in Gelephu, Bhutan is preparing to meet the human resource requirements of the country’s hydropower sector in the next four years. According to estimates by the Druk Green Power Corporation and Bhutan Power Corporation, the country’s hydropower sector will need at least 6,500 people to achieve its vision of generating 10,000 megawatts by 2020. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Hydropower, Services, Energy |
 April 2016Mr. Pradeep Kumar Pujari, Secretary, Ministry of Power, India, ensured continuous demand for hydropower in the Indian grid, during his visit to Bhutan to review ongoing joint hydropower ventures. The Government of India plans to triple its power generation capacity to 800 gigawatts by 2030, using renewable energy sources. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Energy, Bhutan, India |
 March 2016Mr. Wencai Zhang, Vice-President, Asian Development Bank, discussed ways to accelerate Nepal's economic structural transformation with policy makers, scholars, and Government officials in “Envisioning Nepal 2030”, an international seminar jointly organized by the National Planning Commission and ADB. In his address, he discussed how regional cooperation and integration could turn Nepal from a landlocked to a land-connected country. Read More Tags: Nepal, Energy, Airports, Hydropower, LLDC |
 March 2016A delegation from Bhutan's Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies participated in an interactive session with representatives from the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce. The Meeting discussed possible cooperation between Bhutan and India's North East in sectors including trade, commerce, hydropower, and tourism. Read More Tags: Trade, Hydropower, Bhutan, India |
 March 2016Mr. Nasrul Hamid, Bangladesh State Minister for Power and Energy, discussed the possibility of enhancing the scope of Bangladesh-India cross-border energy transmission to include Bhutan in a meeting with Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla. Bangladesh is mulling a $1 billion investment in Bhutan's hydropower industry, and is reviewing a draft MoU for possible electricity imports from Bhutan. Read More Tags: Energy, Hydropower, Bangladesh |
 July 2015A conference organized by the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, concluded with the Paro Declaration on 25 July 2015 in Bhutan. The Declaration called for free trading of energy-related materials, products, and equipment; freedom of energy transit through pipelines and grids in the region; and urged protection and promotion of foreign investment in energy and an extension of most-favored nation treatment. Read More Tags: Energy, SAARC CCI, Hydropower |
 July 2015The certificate of incorporation for the 660 megawatt Kholongchu Hydropower Project (KHP) was formally handed over to Bhutan's Druk Green Power Corporation and India's Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam. Officials of KHP expect construction of about 40 kilometers of road leading to the project site to soon commence. KHP is the first joint venture between Bhutan and India. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Hydropower, Energy |
 May 2015A loan and grant financing agreement was signed by the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Asian Development Bank on 4 May 2015 to develop the 118 megawatt Nikachhu hydropower plant. This project will promote regional energy trade between Bhutan and India, and help Bhutan meet its growing demands for electricity. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy |
 March 2015The fourth Nepal International Trade Fair, held 12-16 March 2015 in Kathmandu, Nepal, highlighted Nepal's 19 priority export products identified by the Nepal Trade Integration Strategy. Business enterprises from other SAARC countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Pakistan—also joined. A total of 340 stalls exhibited different goods for 5 days, drawing 125,000 visitors, and recorded sales worth over $1.9 million. Read More Tags: Nepal, Trade, SAARC, Hydropower |
 February 2015The Nepal Electricity Authority plans to reduce current system loss to 10% by 2020 through several technical and non-technical measures, including unbundling of development and operation of electricity transmission lines. NEA's total energy generation loss in 2013-2014 stood at 25%. It is currently implementing the Energy Access and Efficiency Improvement Project under the SASEC program. Read More Tags: Energy, Hydropower, Nepal |
 February 2015Commissioning of the first unit of the 126 Megawatt (MW) Dagachhu Hydroelectric Project (DHP) officially began at 15:25 on 21 February 2015 with commercial generation of energy from Bhutan to India, coinciding with the 35th birthday of His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Generating capacity during peak season can rise to a maximum of 63 MW. The Green Power Development Project under the SASEC program funded its construction. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy |
 January 2015The World Bank report “Global Economic Prospects: Having Fiscal Space and Using It,” has set Bhutan's economic growth at 7.9% for the current fiscal year—1.1% higher than the Government's target of 6.8%. Propelling growth, according to the report, is completion of Dagachhu hydropower project. It also estimated growth in South Asia rebounded to an estimated 5.5% in 2014. Read More Tags: Bhutan, GDP, Energy, Hydropower |
 January 2015Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay told investors at the 7th Vibrant Gujarat Summit that Bhutan is open to clean, green and sustainable business proposals, including investments in renewable energy and hydropower. He also emphasized that Bhutan gives more value to gross national happiness, and extended an invitation among those interested in doing value-based business to invest in Bhutan. Read More Tags: Bhutan, FDI, Hydropower, Energy |
 December 2014The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved financing support to develop the Nikachhu hydropower plant—a run-of-the-river hydropower plant—in central Bhutan totaling $120.5 million in a package of loans and grants, through a public-private partnership. Power generated through the project will boost renewable energy generation in Bhutan, and further expand cross-border power trading in the region. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Energy, Hydropower, Loan |
 September 2014Following the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala during Prime Minister Modi's state visit to Kathmandu in August, a project that has waited in the pipeline for 17 years saw new developments. Read More Tags: Energy, India, Hydropower, Nepal |
