October 4: Although there has been talk about exporting electricity to India for a long time, it will take at least five more years before Nepal can actually do it, a report suggests.

The report, prepared by ICF International for Investment Board, Nepal, says that until 2020, India will be able to meet its electricity demand through power produced by burning imported coal and by new hydroelectricity projects.

Coal is going to remain as India’s chief source of energy for a long time, said IBN Advisor Bishal Thapa. He said that Nepal’s hydropower sector should prepare itself to be able to compete with and displace coal. “We see that we have a better prospect when it comes to exporting power to north India,” he added.

The study says that Nepal can export up to 2-3 GW of electricity to north India before 2022. Similarly, there is a possibility of displacing coal-powered plants in western India, if transmission lines are to be established. Thapa said that finding a substitute for coal is also important for India to meet its carbon emission commitments.