Bangladesh has agreed to buy hydro-power from Nepal at a rate of 6.5 cents per unit; however, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) would not bear the cost of transmission and trade margin (service charge) for the supply of power to Bangladesh.
Following several tariff negotiation meetings, both sides fixed the tariff, however, the issue would be sent before the cabinet committee on government purchase for final approval, Power Division sources said.
Bangladesh wants to purchase electricity from Nepal at five cents per unit, while Nepal wants 7 cents per unit, which is delaying a power deal between the two countries, an official from the power Division has said.
"We have reached a final decision," Mohammad Hossain, director general of Power Cell told the Daily Observer on Tuesday. A team led by NEA executive director Kul Man Ghising visited Bangladesh very recently and fixed the rate last week, the official said.
Upon tariff agreement, Nepal, Bangladesh and India anticipate signing a tripartite deal, marking Nepal’s maiden power export to Bangladesh.
According to the agreement, Bangladesh anticipates receiving a total of 40 MW of electricity from Nepal, comprising 24 MW from the Trishuli project and 16 MW from another power plant.
The electricity will be transmitted to the national grid at Bheramara, Bangladesh, via the Baharampur transmission line in India.
