China ready for energy cooperation with Nepal; agrees to help build 220 KV Rasuwagadhi-Keyrung lines

Kathmandu: In what an encouraging development in bilateral cooperation between Nepal and China, the latter for the first time has agreed to help construction of the Jilong/Keyrung-Rasuwagadhi-Chilime 220 KV Cross-Border Power Transmission line at an early date.

This is the first time that China has shown some positive indication to cooperate with Nepal in installation of the cross-border energy distribution infrastructure. Although for the past few years Nepal has been seeking consent of China to export its hydroelectricity, it is not being so, mainly due to apathy of its northern neighbor.

In the latest development, China has expressed its positive note during the visit of Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to China. The joint statement issued by the governments of Nepal and China has put forth the issue in this regard, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides agreed to further promote cooperation in the field of energy, particularly the development of hydropower and cross-border transmission lines and associated substations. “The two sides will continue working toward the finalization of the China-Nepal Electric Power Cooperation Plan by convening the second meeting of the Joint Implementation Mechanism at the earliest,” reads the joint statement.

The two sides will continue to make good use of the platform of the China-Nepal Joint Implementation Mechanism. The Mechanism will carry out exchanges and cooperation in the field of hydropower, wind power, solar power, biomass power and hydrogen.

The Chinese side agreed to positively consider the request made by the Nepali side for supplying grid power to electrify northern remote villages of Nepal from Xizang Autonomous Region of China, and take overall consideration of providing equipment or technology on commercial terms.

Targeted for cross-border energy trade, Nepal had started installation of the Rasuwagadhi-Keyrung transmission line in 2018, which is yet to complete its construction till the date. Initially, a feasibility study of the project was targeted to complete within two years, however it was delayed and completed only in five years. Likewise, the initially planned capacity of 400 kV transmission line was reduced to 220 kV later on.

Dinesh Ghimire, secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Supplies and Irrigation, said Nepal has already conducted a feasibility study to install a 16 km stretch of the cross-border transmission line. “However, the feasibility study on the Chinese side is yet to be done,” said Ghimire, adding that the bilateral talks have now agreed to take forward the study of the Chinese side.

At present, Nepal has been exporting its surplus electricity to India, while the country also imports electricity from its southern neighbor. The Himalayan country has been looking forward to exporting its surplus electricity to Bangladesh and China.