Import of 500 MW from Nepal at final stage: Nasrul

FE Team | Published: March 05, 2024 00:35:08

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said on Monday that the import of 500 MW of electricity from Nepal through Indian company GMR is almost at the final stage while the issue of renewable energy import is also progressing, reports UNB.
The import and export from Meghalaya, Tripura or Assam can be discussed, Hamid said during a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma at his ministry office in the city.
He informed the Indian envoy that a deal is likely to be signed next month to import 40 MW of hydro-power from Nepal.
Hamid also said the process of importing LNG and gas through H-Energy is almost final.
"We want to increase the connectivity with neighbouring countries, including India. We need Indian cooperation."
He said that Bangladesh and India have a huge opportunity to work together for the development of the power and energy sector.
"We want to import 9000 MW of electricity from the neighbouring countries. The process to import hydro-electricity from Nepal and Bhutan has made a good advance," Hamid told the Indian envoy.
Nasrul Hamid said that power trade will get momentum if there is a dedicated line from Nepal to Bangladesh. This will also benefit India.
He also said that it is essential to have stakeholders' meetings of both sides every month to increase the area of cooperation. "We can also work together on bio-fuel."
He observed that demand for LPG is increasing. It should be considered actively as to how Bangladeshi private investors can work in India in these sectors, he added.
High Commissioner Pranay Verma said that India's cooperation with Bangladesh in the power and energy sector is growing.
Issues relating to high voltage transmission lines, renewable energy, import-export of electricity, R-LNG, fuel capacity enhancement, energy efficiency, and future regional connectivity came up for discussion in the meeting.