Nepal begins 40 MW power export to Bangladesh via Indian grid

Nepal has started supplying 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh using India’s transmission system. The power flow began at midnight on June 15, 2025, according to the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

This follows a trilateral agreement signed on October 3, 2024, between Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. The agreement allows Nepal to export power to Bangladesh from June 15 to November 15 each year. Electricity is transmitted through the 400 kV Muzaffarpur–Baharampur–Bheramara line, which runs across all three countries.

Meanwhile, on June 2, 2025, the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) finished final grid connection work on the 400 kV Rooppur–Gopalganj line. The 158 km line has 414 towers and links the Rooppur nuclear power plant to the national grid.

The Rooppur–Gopalganj line is one of eight major transmission lines planned to evacuate power from the Rooppur plant. Four of these will operate at 400 kV and four at 230 kV. The 400 kV routes include Rooppur−Bogra, Rooppur−Gopalganj, and the under-construction Rooppur−Aminbazar−Kaliakoir line. The 230 kV lines include Rooppur−Baghabari and Rooppur−Dhamrai double circuit links.

The Rooppur nuclear plant, located in Iswardi, Pabna District, is Bangladesh’s first nuclear power project. Built by Russian company Rosatom for the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), it features two VVER-1200 reactors. Construction began in November 2017.

Once operational, the two units will generate 2,400 MW, meeting about 9 percent of Bangladesh’s total electricity demand. The estimated project cost is $12.65 billion. Most of the funding is through a Russian loan repayable over 20 years.

However, the project is under scrutiny. Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission launched an investigation in December 2024, alleging financial irregularities worth $5 billion. The probe has named former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and niece Tulip Siddiq.

The Rooppur project is one of the largest undertaken by Rosatom and has remained in the global spotlight due to sanctions on Russia. 

India has also been involved. In March 2018, Russia, India, and Bangladesh signed a tripartite agreement for technical collaboration. India’s Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is assisting with the plant’s construction.