Up to 654 MW of electricity will be supplied for 18 hours daily as floods damage Nepal’s hydropower infrastructure and reduce domestic generation
India has approved expedited electricity exports to Nepal to help the neighbouring country manage power shortages following devastating floods that damaged hydropower facilities and disrupted electricity generation.
The Ministry of Power said electricity would be supplied to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for 18 hours a day, from midnight to 6 pm, from September 13 to December 31, 2026. The approval covers up to 654 megawatts (MW) through two cross-border transmission lines.
Under the arrangement, up to 600 MW can be transmitted through the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar 400 kV double-circuit line. A further 54 MW can be supplied through the Tanakpur-Mahendranagar 132 kV single-circuit line.
The ministry said the recent floods had caused significant damage to Nepal’s hydropower infrastructure, reducing domestic generation capacity and creating an additional requirement for electricity.
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The decision followed Nepal’s request for advance electricity imports to address the shortfall
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Nepal normally imports power from India during the dry winter months, when lower river flows reduce hydropower generation
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This year, the request came earlier after the floods damaged several power projects
According to reporting by The Kathmandu Post, the August 26 floods in the Bhotekoshi River damaged a dozen power projects, including transmission infrastructure. The damage has added pressure on Nepal’s electricity supply ahead of the dry season.
India’s approval is also significant for the two countries’ seasonal electricity trade. Nepal has increasingly exported surplus hydropower to India during periods of high generation, while relying on imports when domestic production falls.
The Ministry of Power said the quantum of electricity to be exported from January 2027 would be reviewed in December 2026.
The arrangement is expected to support Nepal’s immediate electricity requirements while repairs continue at damaged facilities. It also reinforces the longstanding energy cooperation between the two countries.
