Nepal: Hydropower plants devastated by floods, India to export electricity to former exporter
Reuters photo.
Hydropower plants devastated by floods: India to export electricity to former exporter Nepal
Last month's catastrophic floods destroyed nearly one-tenth of Nepal's power generation capacity, resulting in a temporary energy crisis. In response, India will now export electricity to Nepal for 18 hours daily through December 31, according to an announcement by India's Ministry of Power on Monday.
The glacial flood disaster claimed approximately 1,400 lives across Nepal and Tibet, while more than a dozen hydroelectric power stations in Nepal were swept away by floodwaters.
Over 5,300 people remain missing, including nearly 900 power plant personnel.
India's Ministry of Power confirmed that it has approved the export of up to 654 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Nepal. The volume of power to be exported starting in January will be reviewed in December.
"This approval will help Nepal meet its electricity demand during this difficult time while further strengthening the long-standing energy cooperation between India and Nepal," the ministry stated.
Nepal relies almost entirely on hydropower for its electricity, which in recent years had become a rapidly growing source of export revenue for the country.
However, following severe flooding in Bagmati—the nation's primary hydropower-producing region—Nepal suspended power exports and announced plans to import electricity from India to cover its domestic deficit over the coming months.
Nepalese officials stated last week that they will seek financial assistance from wealthy nations and international organizations, arguing that these partners should contribute toward the estimated $5 billion needed for initial reconstruction.
They emphasized that the disaster demonstrates how poor countries—despite contributing the least to the climate crisis—are bearing the brunt of its impacts.
