Nepal, China to develop power transmission lines

Nepal has sent to China draft of an agreement for the joint development of cross-border power transmission lines between the two countries, a Nepal Energy Ministry official said on Friday.

The power-line connectivity is expected to pave the way for electricity trade between the two neighbours in the future, Xinhua news agency reported.

Former Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli had during his visit to China in March 2016 asked Beijing to help develop 400 KV Border Transmission Lines Project at Rashuwagadi-Kerung (Geelong) border point.

"In line with the understanding reached with Chinese side during Oli's visit, the MoU draft on mutual cooperation in developing cross-border transmission line was sent to China," Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, spokesperson of the Energy Ministry, told Xinhua.

"It has been around four months that we sent the draft and we are awaiting the response from the Chinese side."

Although the joint statement had mentioned the development of transmission line only in Rasuwagadhi-Kerung segment, the official said such infrastructure could be developed in other border crossings at Tatopani-Khasa (Zhangmu), Korala and Kimathanka.

Ghimire said they worked out on the MoU so that it could be signed during high-level visits in the future.

Nepal is considered one of the richest countries in the world in terms of hydro-power generation capacity.

--IANS

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