Nepal, India to form a Joint Hydro Development Committee

 KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 27 : India will continue to cooperate Nepal in developing viable hydropower projects with particular focus on the storage-type ones through the formation of a Joint Hydro Development Committee (JHDC), according to media reports.

This was agreed during the meetings of their joint secretary-level Joint Working Group (JWG) and secretary-level Joint Steering Committee (JST) on bilateral power sector cooperation held in Kathmandu on February 23-24.

The two countries also decided to conduct a study on the feasibility of constructing a cross border transmission line between Nepal and West Bengal. The existing Joint Technical Team will be carrying out the study, it is reported.

During the meetings, the Indian side apprised the Nepali side on the recent developments in its power sector including the installation of a large renewable energy capacity and the achievement of “One Nation, One Grid, One Market”.

Likewise, the latter briefed the former about the present scenario and future outlook (in terms of generation, transmission, demand) of its power sector.

It is reported that the two sides also agreed to continue their mutual discussions on the subject towards expeditious follow-up and decided to meet soon for the nest sessions of the JWG and JST meetings to be hosted by the Indian side.