Electricity supply from Nepal to Bangladesh via India began yesterday in a trilateral transaction, aimed at boosting sub-regional connectivity in the power sector.

The power flow was jointly inaugurated by Bangladesh's Energy Adviser Md Fouzul Kabir Khan, India's Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, and Nepal's Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Dipak Khadka through a virtual event hosted by the government of Nepal.

The occasion marks the first trilateral power transaction carried out through the Indian grid, said an official statement in New Delhi.

India had previously announced its decision to facilitate this first trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh, allowing for the export of up to 40 MW of power through the Indian grid. This was announced during the visit of former Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" to India from May 31 to June 3, 2023.

During that visit, both countries expressed their commitment to enhancing sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, to strengthen economic inter-linkages for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.

Following this, a tripartite power sales agreement was signed on October 3 in Kathmandu between India's National Thermal Power Corporation Vidyut Vyapar Nigam, Nepal Electricity Authority, and Bangladesh Power Development Board.

"The start of this power flow from Nepal to Bangladesh through India is expected to boost sub-regional connectivity in the power sector," the Indian statement said.

                  The supply from Nepal comes at a time when Bangladesh is striving to ensure a steady electricity supply amid reduced output from Adani's power plant in Godda, Jharkhand.