New Delhi – Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Kulman Ghising, has said that Nepal aims  to become a majorclean energy exporter in South Asia—targetingup to 15,000 megawatts of renewable powerexports by 2035.

Addressing the thematic session entitled ‘Envisioning Regional and Global Interconnections for Large-Scale Clean Energy Transition’ in the International Solar Alliance Assembly  in New Delhi on Tuesday, Minister Ghising said that Nepal looked at hydropower as a strategic enabler of SouthAsia’s clean energy transition and a vital sourceof grid stability and flexibility.

“We have developed nearly 4000megawatts of generation capacity, with hydropower and solar contributing almostentirely—making Nepal one of thegreenest electricity producers in the world. Blessed with an estimated 83,000 MW ofhydropower potential and about 42000MW of pumped storage potential, ourresources are clean, renewable, andperfectly complement the solar and windsystems of our neighbouring countries,” said Minister Ghising.

“Alongside hydropower, Nepal issteadily expanding solar generation,with about 140 MW already connected to the national grid and around 1100MW in various stages of development.Our policy aims to continue scaling up solar 

energy to maintain a balanced anddiversified renewable mix, enhancing overall grid reliability and energy security,” he added.

Minister Ghising said that a  landmark long-term power trade agreement between Nepaland India, concluded in June 2023, envisions the export of 10,000 megawatts over the nextdecade. Building on the Joint Vision Statementof Prime Ministers of Nepal and India in April2022, this milestone marks a major step in expanding the regional power market andstrengthening energy cooperation.  “Cross-border energy cooperation lies at the heart of Nepal’s clean energy vision. We have established strong interconnections with Indiaand initiated trilateral power

trade with Bangladesh,” he added.

Minister Ghising informed that during the wetseason, Nepal exports around 1,100 megawatts of electricity, while in thepeak dry season,  imports up to 800megawatts through various marketmechanisms. “For effective regional integration, it is essential to strengthen transmission infrastructure not onlybetween Nepal and India but also betweenIndia and Bangladesh. This will lay thefoundation for a fully interconnectedBIMSTEC power grid,” he added.

Nepal’s power transformation has been drivenby growing cross-border connectivity withIndia. What began with modest 33 kV links inthe 1970s has evolved into high- voltageinterconnections like the Dhalkebar–Muzaffarpur 400 kV line. Among othermeasures, this interconnection helpedeliminated decade long load shedding inNepal, said Minister Ghising.

Under our joint transmission planning withIndia upto the year 2035, eight high-voltage interconnections have been identified to enable over 16 gigawatts ofcross-border power exchange. TheDhalkebar–Muzaffarpur 400 kV line is already operational, while the Butwal–Gorakhpur and Dhalkebar–Sitamarhilines are in advance stages of construction. The development and financing modalities for next two highvoltage transmission corridors have been finalized and studies are underway forseveral cross border lines to reinforce thisexpanding network, the Minister said.

As regional and global grids evolve,interconnections will enable renewablepower to flow across time zones— balancing demand and supply, loweringcosts, and expanding access. Thisvision aligns perfectly with “One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG),” where clean energy flows seamlesslyand sustainably across borders, Minister Ghising said.

“To make this vision a reality, regionalcountries must work toward integratedpower markets that enable smooth, non- discriminatory, and unrestricted green energy flow. Transparent regulations, harmonized standards, and open accessto transmission infrastructure will be keyto attracting private investment andensuring long-term sustainability,” the Minister added.

Minister Ghising, however, warned that increasingly frequent floods and droughtsare causing severe damage to our powersystems and livelihoods, often demanding major reconstruction efforts. Strengthening climate-resilient infrastructure is, therefore, a nationalpriority. “We call for stronger regional and international cooperation to addressclimate-induced losses and to mobilize financing for effective mitigation andadaptation to increasing climate impacts,” he said.

Minister Ghising also urged the international community to invest in Nepal’s renewable energy such as hydro and solar power.

“With ample potential on hydropower, increasing solar energy capacity and expanding international transmission line as well as energy relations, we have possible capacity to make the region energy abundant. I invite our friendly countries and partners to invest in Nepal, in renewable energy and be a part of light to all and green future,” said Minister Ghising, who also holds Physical Infrastructures, Transport and Urban Development ministries in the interim government.